Rediscovering Korean Aesthetics: Seo Sooyoung's 'Heritage Code' at Seongnam Cube Art Museum
Jason Yim / Published December 11, 2024 10:59 PM
Jason Yim
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
The Seongnam Cube Art Museum is hosting the fifth installment of its 2024 Artist Spotlight Series, Heritage Code by Seo Sooyoung, from November 1 to December 22, 2024. Renowned for her innovative reinterpretation of Korean aesthetics through traditional painting techniques, Seo brings a modern perspective to the heritage and values embodied in Korea’s artistic legacy.
Seo Sooyoung, a contemporary Korean painter, has dedicated her 30-year career to exploring the roots of Korean beauty. Her work takes inspiration from national treasures such as Joseon-era porcelain and traditional paintings, reinterpreting them through the lens of contemporary art. Her latest exhibition presents six new large-scale works alongside 30 representative pieces, encapsulating her quest to merge historical reverence with modern creativity.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
The centerpiece of the exhibition lies in Seo's homage to Joseon white porcelain, celebrated not merely as functional objects but as artifacts embodying the era's pinnacle of scientific innovation and aesthetic refinement. The purity of white porcelain reflects the Joseon dynasty's ideals of integrity and balance. By depicting these treasures through vibrant gold and traditional materials like handmade Korean paper (hanji), Seo transforms them into symbols of Korea’s enduring spirit.
Seo’s reinterpretation goes beyond visual admiration. Her work engages critically with historical narratives surrounding Korean aesthetics. Departing from the "beauty of sorrow" theory posited by colonial-era art critic Yanagi Muneyoshi, which framed Korean art within a context of subservience, Seo emphasizes the sophistication and vitality of Korean culture. Her works, particularly her Heritage Code series, celebrate the elegance and innovation inherent in Korean art, offering a counter-narrative to reductive interpretations of the past.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
Among the highlights of the exhibition are Heritage Code 5 and Heritage Code 6, both debuting as part of this showcase. Heritage Code 5 draws on Kim Hongdo’s Samgokbulhwan-do and a celebrated 18th-century Joseon porcelain vessel. The juxtaposition of these artifacts underscores the technical and artistic mastery of the Joseon dynasty, positioning it as an era of cultural flourishing. Similarly, Heritage Code 6 pays tribute to Sehando by Kim Jeonghee and a pristine 15th-century white porcelain bottle, reflecting the shared intellectual and spiritual ethos of the period.
Seo’s use of materials is as symbolic as her subjects. She starts by crafting her hanji, imbuing the surface with a texture that mirrors the soft translucence of porcelain. By integrating gold foil, natural pigments, and traditional stone-based colors, Seo bridges historical techniques with modern sensibilities. Her works invite viewers to contemplate the interplay between tradition and contemporaneity, questioning how cultural heritage informs modern identity.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
Through meticulous craftsmanship and conceptual depth, Seo’s paintings evoke the “painting within a painting” effect. This approach merges traditional Korean literati painting, colored painting, and even elements of Buddhist art into a cohesive yet innovative form. Her works, while deeply rooted in Korean artistic traditions, push the boundaries of genre and medium.
Curated through a collaborative process with the artist, Heritage Code encapsulates 30 years of Seo’s artistic journey. The title, derived from a comprehensive analysis of her oeuvre, encapsulates her ongoing dialogue with Korea’s artistic heritage. By revisiting and reimagining national treasures, Seo positions her work at the intersection of historical reflection and contemporary exploration.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
Seo’s paintings are not only visual masterpieces but also intellectual inquiries into the essence of Korean beauty. Her works encourage viewers to move beyond mere admiration and engage critically with the cultural, historical, and philosophical underpinnings of Korean art. Through Heritage Code, she challenges audiences to redefine what Korean aesthetics means in a global and contemporary context.
This exhibition serves as a timely reminder of the enduring relevance of traditional values in a rapidly modernizing world. As Seo Sooyoung reweaves the threads of history into the fabric of today, she opens a space for reflection on the role of heritage in shaping collective identity and cultural innovation.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
The Seongnam Cube Art Museum is hosting the fifth installment of its 2024 Artist Spotlight Series, Heritage Code by Seo Sooyoung, from November 1 to December 22, 2024. Renowned for her innovative reinterpretation of Korean aesthetics through traditional painting techniques, Seo brings a modern perspective to the heritage and values embodied in Korea’s artistic legacy.
Seo Sooyoung, a contemporary Korean painter, has dedicated her 30-year career to exploring the roots of Korean beauty. Her work takes inspiration from national treasures such as Joseon-era porcelain and traditional paintings, reinterpreting them through the lens of contemporary art. Her latest exhibition presents six new large-scale works alongside 30 representative pieces, encapsulating her quest to merge historical reverence with modern creativity.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
The centerpiece of the exhibition lies in Seo's homage to Joseon white porcelain, celebrated not merely as functional objects but as artifacts embodying the era's pinnacle of scientific innovation and aesthetic refinement. The purity of white porcelain reflects the Joseon dynasty's ideals of integrity and balance. By depicting these treasures through vibrant gold and traditional materials like handmade Korean paper (hanji), Seo transforms them into symbols of Korea’s enduring spirit.
Seo’s reinterpretation goes beyond visual admiration. Her work engages critically with historical narratives surrounding Korean aesthetics. Departing from the "beauty of sorrow" theory posited by colonial-era art critic Yanagi Muneyoshi, which framed Korean art within a context of subservience, Seo emphasizes the sophistication and vitality of Korean culture. Her works, particularly her Heritage Code series, celebrate the elegance and innovation inherent in Korean art, offering a counter-narrative to reductive interpretations of the past.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
Among the highlights of the exhibition are Heritage Code 5 and Heritage Code 6, both debuting as part of this showcase. Heritage Code 5 draws on Kim Hongdo’s Samgokbulhwan-do and a celebrated 18th-century Joseon porcelain vessel. The juxtaposition of these artifacts underscores the technical and artistic mastery of the Joseon dynasty, positioning it as an era of cultural flourishing. Similarly, Heritage Code 6 pays tribute to Sehando by Kim Jeonghee and a pristine 15th-century white porcelain bottle, reflecting the shared intellectual and spiritual ethos of the period.
Seo’s use of materials is as symbolic as her subjects. She starts by crafting her hanji, imbuing the surface with a texture that mirrors the soft translucence of porcelain. By integrating gold foil, natural pigments, and traditional stone-based colors, Seo bridges historical techniques with modern sensibilities. Her works invite viewers to contemplate the interplay between tradition and contemporaneity, questioning how cultural heritage informs modern identity.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
Through meticulous craftsmanship and conceptual depth, Seo’s paintings evoke the “painting within a painting” effect. This approach merges traditional Korean literati painting, colored painting, and even elements of Buddhist art into a cohesive yet innovative form. Her works, while deeply rooted in Korean artistic traditions, push the boundaries of genre and medium.
Curated through a collaborative process with the artist, Heritage Code encapsulates 30 years of Seo’s artistic journey. The title, derived from a comprehensive analysis of her oeuvre, encapsulates her ongoing dialogue with Korea’s artistic heritage. By revisiting and reimagining national treasures, Seo positions her work at the intersection of historical reflection and contemporary exploration.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Seongnam Cube Art Museum
Seo’s paintings are not only visual masterpieces but also intellectual inquiries into the essence of Korean beauty. Her works encourage viewers to move beyond mere admiration and engage critically with the cultural, historical, and philosophical underpinnings of Korean art. Through Heritage Code, she challenges audiences to redefine what Korean aesthetics means in a global and contemporary context.
This exhibition serves as a timely reminder of the enduring relevance of traditional values in a rapidly modernizing world. As Seo Sooyoung reweaves the threads of history into the fabric of today, she opens a space for reflection on the role of heritage in shaping collective identity and cultural innovation.
