Park Yosook Gallery Presents Markus Klinko's First Solo Exhibition in Korea
Open Until July 31
Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, David Bowie, Keanu Reeves, Naomi Campbell, Kim Kardashian...
All of these figures were reborn as visual icons of the 21st century through the lens of photographer Markus Klinko. Klinko’s photographs have graced the covers of renowned magazines such as Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar, and have been widely used in global brand advertisements. Originally a harpist, he transitioned to photography after injuring his hand in an accident in 1994, achieving these remarkable results in his new career.
The exhibition "Icons: In Memory of the 10th Anniversary of David Bowie's Passing, and Beyond," opening on July 17 at Park Yosook Gallery in Itaewon, Seoul, presents a carefully curated selection of Klinko’s most iconic celebrity portraits and album covers from the past two decades.
Markus Klinko is an image maker who has redefined pop culture icons through his camera lens, giving rise to countless pop culture icons through photography. This exhibition not only commemorates the 10th anniversary of Bowie's passing, but also explores how mythic figures are constructed and visualized.
Since Bowie's death, Klinko has held touring exhibitions in major cities around the world since 2016, and this marks his first exhibition in Korea as part of that series.
A representative from Park Yosook Gallery explained, "Rather than simply 'photographs that document icons,' we will witness how 'icons are created by photographs,' observing the process by which images shape power, myth, and identity."
Klinko first met Bowie in the spring of 2001 at a photoshoot for the autobiography of his wife, Iman. Meeting David Bowie, who accompanied Iman, led to a deep artistic collaboration that included album covers, photo shoots, and music videos. Reflecting on Bowie, Klinko said, "He possessed the exact charisma you would imagine, but at the same time, he was incredibly kind and insightful. He was also extremely involved in the selection of images."
Among the many works Klinko created with Bowie, the highlight is the "Heathen" series, photographed in New York shortly after the 9·11 terrorist attacks. This series is regarded as a turning point where he moved away from a color-centric style, and as a masterpiece that fully captures both Bowie's symbolism and inner world.
A gallery representative introduced, "Klinko’s works go beyond simple portraiture, capturing the atmosphere and emotions of the era," adding, "It will be an opportunity to reflect once again on the power and influence of images." The exhibition runs until July 31.
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