[Gallery Walk] An Amazing Rediscovery of Ordinary Moments, Eum Ha-young Solo Exhibition

At the Intersection of Everyday Life and Imagination
Eum Ha-young's Solo Exhibition at Igiligu Gallery, Sinsa-dong, Until February 28

The solo exhibition by artist Eum Ha-young, titled 'The Lingering Grace: At the Intersection of Everyday Life and Imagination,' held at Igiligu Gallery located on Garosugil in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, runs until February 28. The exhibition invites audiences to explore everyday moments from a new perspective, presenting works that traverse the boundaries between reality and imagination.

Eum Ha-young, Whispers of Dissent.
Photo by Lee Gil-yi Gallery

In this exhibition, the artist introduces her creative world by reflecting on how ordinary things are actually special and the emotions we often overlook within them. The works go beyond simple representation, offering an artistic journey that poses questions to viewers and evokes emotions.

The exhibition title, 'The Lingering Grace,' encapsulates the artist’s gaze aimed at capturing paradoxical beauty. She conveys the tranquility hidden within splendor and the unfamiliarity blossoming in familiar daily life. In the representative work 'Unicorn,' a childhood fairy-tale-like excitement is felt even within surreal scenes, while another piece, 'Whispers of Dissent,' evokes a peculiar tension with a boat emitting flames and indecipherable letters.

Critic Lee Geon-su analyzed this by stating, "The artist’s canvas is not merely a visually pleasing illustration but reveals a complex and multilayered narrative completed through the overlap of memory and imagination." Indeed, Eum Ha-young’s works leave room for audiences to create new stories themselves rather than providing a finished narrative.

Eum Ha-young, Shortcut. [Photo by Lee Gil-yi Gallery]

Moments easily overlooked in everyday life may simply pass by, but the works convey the message that true beauty of life is hidden within them. This philosophy is reflected in the details of the works. In this exhibition, a combination of light pastel tones and exaggerated forms creates a sense that is both familiar and unreal.

One visitor shared, "Although the scenes could never exist in reality, they somehow feel familiar." The artist’s works offer audiences not only visual pleasure but also an emotional experience connected to their own memories.

Another important element in Eum Ha-young’s work is text. The words appearing on the canvas are read not as letters but as images. The phrases in the works function as elements that stimulate the viewers’ imagination rather than conveying clear messages.

The artist mentioned that she approached text as a sculptural element, focusing on form and atmosphere rather than meaning. In this exhibition, text exists not as a simple narrative tool but as a visual language with presence.

Artist Eum Ha-young.
Photo by Lee Gil-yi, G Gallery

Critics interpret this approach as "a fusion of postmodern writing and drawing," evaluating that the artist embraces the complexity of contemporary art beyond mere representation.

This exhibition goes beyond mere visual enjoyment, prompting viewers to reflect on the specialness and beauty of change found in everyday life. Through the space where reality and imagination intersect, her works breathe new life into moments we had missed.

The artist’s message, "Every moment has its own meaning," continues to resonate with visitors even after leaving the exhibition, offering a subtle longing that encourages a renewed contemplation of everyday life and imagination.