Moonassi Solo Exhibition at Kolon SpaceK Seoul
Visualizing Subtle Emotional Tremors as Waves
Capturing the Interplay of Relationships and Emotions on Canvas
Exhibition Runs Until February 13 Next Year
Artist Moonassi, who has long captured the waves of emotion in the blank spaces of ink and wash, is presenting a new solo exhibition titled "The Season We Fade Away" at SpaceK Seoul.
SpaceK Seoul, located in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and operated as a cultural and artistic sharing space by Kolon, announced on the 11th that it will host a solo exhibition by Moonassi (45) until February 13 next year. Moonassi is known for depicting figures on Hanji using ink and acrylic paint to express the flow of emotions. In this exhibition, the artist visualizes subtle emotional tremors as waves, unfolding the movement of the inner self on the canvas. The exhibition explores what is captured and what disappears in painting when relationships and emotions influence each other.
The name Moonassi ("Moo" meaning "nothingness," "na" meaning "I," and "ssi" meaning "Mr./Ms.") symbolizes the artist's ever-changing self, unfixed in form and always open to transformation. At a press conference held at SpaceK Seoul on the 11th, Moonassi explained, "The name expresses my desire to transcend myself," adding, "Although it may never be fully possible, it also represents the process of striving and enduring toward that goal."
Moonassi likens the act of leaving brushstrokes on paper to drawing ripples on the surface of the mind, much like ripples on water. The artist's work combines traditional brush-and-ink techniques with a contemporary sensibility, metaphorically revealing emotional fluctuations and sentiments through expressionless figures and natural elements such as water, stones, and trees. In particular, the recurring motif of "water" in this exhibition serves as both a mirror reflecting the self and a medium for letting emotions flow, based on its characteristics of receptivity and fluidity.
In this exhibition, "The Season We Fade Away," the artist investigates the emergence and disappearance of emotions within various relationships. Moonassi states that emotions always awaken and waver in relation to others, and the paintings capture the emotional turbulence that arises when encountering traces of others. By depicting the delicate balance and moments of instability created by relationships, the artist suggests an attitude of accepting emotions as they are, rather than suppressing or defining them. Ultimately, the exhibition conveys a message of self-reflection on one's own wavering self, as seen through others.
The artist compares the process of tracing the origins of emotions to gazing at one's reflection on the water's surface. In "I Am That Over There" (2025) and "I Am This Here" (2025), the figures gaze at themselves near the water, but the closer they get, the more the surface trembles and their image blurs. In "Challang" (2024), two figures look at each other underwater, and the undulating waves reveal the unstable and wavering emotions within their relationship. Through this, the artist emphasizes a "perspective of acceptance"-rather than striving to fully understand emotions, even negative or unstable feelings are to be accepted as they are.
All of Moonassi's figures appear with expressionless faces, making it difficult to discern their emotions, gender, or age. This is a deliberate strategy to prevent specific emotions from being projected onto the viewer and to avoid preconceptions. This also explains why the figures and natural elements are depicted in black. Instead, the artist hints at emotions through gaze, gestures, and posture. In "Gosagwansudo" (2025), a figure quietly looks downward, while in "With All My Heart" (2025), two figures stand before a calm water surface, displaying an attitude of accepting their emotions after passing through an inner journey.
Moonassi's works often feature two figures together. Having long explored the boundary between the "self" that observes itself and the "self" as recognized by others, the artist places two figures side by side to metaphorically represent the process of inner conflict seeking reconciliation. In "The Season We Fade Away" (2025), two figures embrace each other on a snowy field, simultaneously conveying a sense of solidarity and isolation. Whereas water once reflected emotions in previous works, it now transforms into snow, accumulating coldly, and the two figures appear as part of nature itself.
The exhibition as a whole is arranged as a meditative space. "Gosagwansudo" is installed at a height of 5 meters, and the 7-meter folding screen piece "With All My Heart" creates a solemn and tranquil atmosphere. The works are composed of canvases with waves both large and small, and the figures lean on and face each other, forming emotional connections within relationships. The exhibition explores traces of emotion and the quiet tension within relationships, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersection of emotion and connection, much like seeing their own reflection on the water's surface. Visitors experience a serene moment of accepting their emotions as they are and returning to themselves after passing through emotional turbulence.
Moonassi stated, "When I see ancient stone coffins, I am moved by the incredibly detailed hieroglyphs carved into them and imagine how long the stonemasons must have worked. I hope viewers can feel a similar sense of awe when looking at my work."
Based in Seoul, Moonassi has consistently explored the mind, relationships, and inner waves, drawing on a background in Korean painting studied at Hongik University. The artist has held solo exhibitions internationally, including at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan (2020), Galerie Bajou in Paris (2024), and Gallery Ascend in Hong Kong (2022), and has participated in group exhibitions at venues such as the POSCO Art Museum (2022), D Museum (2019), and Kyungpook National University Art Museum (2017). Moonassi was selected for the 2025 Kiaf Highlight Semifinal and won the YCN Professional Awards in the Illustration category in 2013 and 2014. This exhibition features a total of 32 works, including 14 pieces loaned by collectors such as BTS RM (Kim Namjoon) and 18 new works created this year.
The audio guide for this exhibition features the voice of actress So Yoojin, who participated as a talent donation. Visitors can enjoy her narration, images of the works, and explanatory texts via QR codes installed next to each piece.
SpaceK, which began in Gwacheon in 2011 as Kolon's cultural and artistic sharing space, has continued its arts and social contribution activities by introducing emerging and established artists and international creators through SpaceK Seoul, which expanded and reopened in Magok in 2020. The space provides creative opportunities for artists both in Korea and abroad and is committed to expanding the base of contemporary art.
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