SEOUL, June 2 (SayArt)- Gallery Hyundai has announced the opening of "Infinite Breath," the 9th solo exhibition by Chung Sang-Hwa, a master of Korean abstract painting. The exhibition, scheduled to run from June 1st to July 16th, aims to spotlight the diverse grid artistry that Chung has evolved since the 1970s. "Infinite Breath" is a comprehensive exploration of the artist’s various medium experiments, showcasing approximately 40 works from the 1970s to the present.
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| ▲ Installation View of Chung Sang-Hwa , Infinite Breath at Gallery Hyundai, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery |
Chung Sang-Hwa, now 91 years old, has been refining his artistic process since the 1960s. He introduced labor-intensive painting techniques, using innovative materials such as kaolin and glue on canvas, and has cultivated unique textures and layering effects with acrylic, oil paint, graphite, and Hanji (traditional Korean paper). This exhibition focuses on his works in the spectrum of white, revealing the poetic beauty of grids and exploration into the canvas surface.
A broad range of artworks featuring experimental elements of portage, decollage, woodcut print, and acrylic are the highlights of this exhibition. These pieces showcase the aesthetic journey that established Chung as a symbolic figure in Korean contemporary art.
Chung, a master of monochrome painting who has been working alone without an assistant for over 70 years, displays his signature process of repetitive application and removal of kaolin and paint in the 40 artworks exhibited at his dedicated gallery, Gallery Hyundai. Squares filled with grids on canvas hint at the subtle colors emerging between the white grids, as if light is shining from behind a flat canvas painted with acrylic.
 |
| ▲ In the 9th solo exhibition 'Infinite Breath' held at Gallery Hyundai, artist Chung Sang-Hwa poses in front of his work titled 'Untitled 81-2-21'. Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai. |
The exhibition unveils "Untitled 81-2-21," a piece Chung treasured during his work in Paris, France. Chung, known as a master of monochrome painting, has described his 9th solo exhibition, "Infinite Breath," at Gallery Hyundai as a dazzling masterpiece.
After a major retrospective at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea in 2021, Chung's recent exhibition offers a glimpse into his status as a master of monochrome painting devoted to physical and spiritual cultivation. According to Gallery Hyundai officials, the exhibition presents about 40 pieces of work from the various grid pieces of the 1970s to recent works, showcasing Chung Sang-Hwa's relentless exploration and experimentation towards flatness.
 |
| ▲ Installation View of Chung Sang-Hwa ,Infinite Breath at Gallery Hyundai, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery . |
The title "Infinite Breath" metaphorically represents the artist's worldview where every single breath he takes on the canvas expands beyond the painting into infinite time and space. Chung emphasized that "an artist should work alone," describing his work as the result of absolute solitude.
The exhibition offers a glimpse into Chung's unique process of 'tearing' and 'covering,' using kaolin and paint through various medium experiments. These labor-intensive and repetitive tasks can be witnessed on the first floor of the exhibition hall, where 'Process5'(2017) leaves a hint of kaolin on the canvas to aid understanding of the work.
At first glance, each piece may seem similar, but each reveals different shapes and colors, radiating a vibrant individuality up close. His black and white paintings, reminiscent of bathroom tiles, once faced criticism, asking, "Where is the painting?" However, after viewing Chung's first solo exhibition at Hyundai Gallery in 1983, Lee Ufan highly praised him, saying, "I have never seen an artist who works so diligently with such craftsmanship in the world."
 |
| ▲ Installation View of Chung Sang-Hwa ,Infinite Breath at Gallery Hyundai, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai |
'Infinite Breath' further encapsulates the depth of the artist's experimentation with texture, revealing layers of the canvas often overlooked in conventional painting. The unique textures Chung creates are a testament to his mastery of monochrome painting and his unending dedication to uncovering new realms of artistic expression.
The exhibition closes with a special section dedicated to Chung's recent works. Visitors can experience firsthand the evolution of Chung's work and his enduring commitment to the exploration of space, light, and texture.
 |
| ▲ Installation View of Chung Sang-Hwa ,Infinite Breath at Gallery Hyundai, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai. |
Chung Sang-Hwa's 'Infinite Breath' is more than just an exhibition; it is a tribute to a lifetime of artistic dedication. It is a reminder of the immense depth and beauty that can be found in simplicity, the infinite possibilities that lie within the constraints of a grid, and the enduring passion of an artist who has devoted his life to the exploration and expression of his craft.
As they step back from the exhibition, viewers can truly appreciate the essence of Chung's work - his uncompromising dedication to the process, the meditative quality of his art, and his unwavering commitment to a craft that he has devoted his life to. 'Infinite Breath' is an invitation to step into Chung's world and experience a master at work. It is a testament to the beauty of art that continues to breathe, evolve, and inspire.
Sayart.net
Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
Unveils His 9th Solo Exhibition "Infinite Breath"at Gallery Hyundai
The diverse grid-creativity of the maestro from the 1970s to present-day
SEOUL, June 2 (SayArt)- Gallery Hyundai has announced the opening of "Infinite Breath," the 9th solo exhibition by Chung Sang-Hwa, a master of Korean abstract painting. The exhibition, scheduled to run from June 1st to July 16th, aims to spotlight the diverse grid artistry that Chung has evolved since the 1970s. "Infinite Breath" is a comprehensive exploration of the artist’s various medium experiments, showcasing approximately 40 works from the 1970s to the present.
|
| ▲ Installation View of Chung Sang-Hwa , Infinite Breath at Gallery Hyundai, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery |
Chung Sang-Hwa, now 91 years old, has been refining his artistic process since the 1960s. He introduced labor-intensive painting techniques, using innovative materials such as kaolin and glue on canvas, and has cultivated unique textures and layering effects with acrylic, oil paint, graphite, and Hanji (traditional Korean paper). This exhibition focuses on his works in the spectrum of white, revealing the poetic beauty of grids and exploration into the canvas surface.
A broad range of artworks featuring experimental elements of portage, decollage, woodcut print, and acrylic are the highlights of this exhibition. These pieces showcase the aesthetic journey that established Chung as a symbolic figure in Korean contemporary art.
Chung, a master of monochrome painting who has been working alone without an assistant for over 70 years, displays his signature process of repetitive application and removal of kaolin and paint in the 40 artworks exhibited at his dedicated gallery, Gallery Hyundai. Squares filled with grids on canvas hint at the subtle colors emerging between the white grids, as if light is shining from behind a flat canvas painted with acrylic.
|
| ▲ In the 9th solo exhibition 'Infinite Breath' held at Gallery Hyundai, artist Chung Sang-Hwa poses in front of his work titled 'Untitled 81-2-21'. Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai. |
The exhibition unveils "Untitled 81-2-21," a piece Chung treasured during his work in Paris, France. Chung, known as a master of monochrome painting, has described his 9th solo exhibition, "Infinite Breath," at Gallery Hyundai as a dazzling masterpiece.
After a major retrospective at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea in 2021, Chung's recent exhibition offers a glimpse into his status as a master of monochrome painting devoted to physical and spiritual cultivation. According to Gallery Hyundai officials, the exhibition presents about 40 pieces of work from the various grid pieces of the 1970s to recent works, showcasing Chung Sang-Hwa's relentless exploration and experimentation towards flatness.
|
| ▲ Installation View of Chung Sang-Hwa ,Infinite Breath at Gallery Hyundai, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery . |
The title "Infinite Breath" metaphorically represents the artist's worldview where every single breath he takes on the canvas expands beyond the painting into infinite time and space. Chung emphasized that "an artist should work alone," describing his work as the result of absolute solitude.
The exhibition offers a glimpse into Chung's unique process of 'tearing' and 'covering,' using kaolin and paint through various medium experiments. These labor-intensive and repetitive tasks can be witnessed on the first floor of the exhibition hall, where 'Process5'(2017) leaves a hint of kaolin on the canvas to aid understanding of the work.
At first glance, each piece may seem similar, but each reveals different shapes and colors, radiating a vibrant individuality up close. His black and white paintings, reminiscent of bathroom tiles, once faced criticism, asking, "Where is the painting?" However, after viewing Chung's first solo exhibition at Hyundai Gallery in 1983, Lee Ufan highly praised him, saying, "I have never seen an artist who works so diligently with such craftsmanship in the world."
|
| ▲ Installation View of Chung Sang-Hwa ,Infinite Breath at Gallery Hyundai, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai |
'Infinite Breath' further encapsulates the depth of the artist's experimentation with texture, revealing layers of the canvas often overlooked in conventional painting. The unique textures Chung creates are a testament to his mastery of monochrome painting and his unending dedication to uncovering new realms of artistic expression.
The exhibition closes with a special section dedicated to Chung's recent works. Visitors can experience firsthand the evolution of Chung's work and his enduring commitment to the exploration of space, light, and texture.
|
| ▲ Installation View of Chung Sang-Hwa ,Infinite Breath at Gallery Hyundai, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai. |
Chung Sang-Hwa's 'Infinite Breath' is more than just an exhibition; it is a tribute to a lifetime of artistic dedication. It is a reminder of the immense depth and beauty that can be found in simplicity, the infinite possibilities that lie within the constraints of a grid, and the enduring passion of an artist who has devoted his life to the exploration and expression of his craft.
As they step back from the exhibition, viewers can truly appreciate the essence of Chung's work - his uncompromising dedication to the process, the meditative quality of his art, and his unwavering commitment to a craft that he has devoted his life to. 'Infinite Breath' is an invitation to step into Chung's world and experience a master at work. It is a testament to the beauty of art that continues to breathe, evolve, and inspire.
Sayart.net
Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
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