Artist Kang Sunmi's solo exhibition will be held at Artgaga Gallery in Insadong from September 16 to September 30. Kang Sunmi expresses serene spaces in nature through depictions of moonlit houses, surrounding trees, and simple chairs.
Since beginning her artistic career in 2001, she gained international attention in 2023 when several of her works were selected as "New This Week" on the global online platform Saatchi Art, attracting the interest of overseas collectors.
Kang Sunmi uses bunchae, a traditional Korean painting material, to create rich and dense color tones. The unique feature of her work-colors that appear differently depending on the viewing angle-captures the hues and flows found in nature.
The central theme of her work, "rest," goes beyond mere physical comfort. Kang Sunmi stated, "In today's society, even pausing for a moment is seen as a source of anxiety. Rest is often perceived as stagnation or falling behind, and we push ourselves even harder. In that process, both our bodies and minds become worn out and exhausted."
She added, "However, when a tree that has endured the harsh winter with bare branches sprouts new buds, we encounter the true essence of rest. It is not simply a pause, but a time to prepare for a new beginning. The nature depicted in my work embraces tranquility and repose, yet also contains the energy to start anew. I wish to present rest not as a mere state of stillness, but as a fundamental energy that sustains life."
Park Rosa, director of Artgaga Gallery, commented, "With the rapid advancement of AI, modern people are experiencing more complex emotions than ever before. In times like these, it is essential to find peace of mind in serene spaces, reflect on our inner potential, and recover. Kang Sunmi delivers an important message for our era through her mystical, transcendent, fairy tale-like works."
Kang Sunmi's solo exhibition "Space of Serenity" can be viewed free of charge at Artgaga Gallery in Jongno-gu, Seoul, from September 16 to September 30.
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