An Ode to Life
Soluna Fine Art is delighted to present the group exhibition An Ode to Life at Korean Cultural Center Hong Kong. This show illustrates the lifestyle and aesthetics of Korean heritage, and it is curated for the viewer to interpret the attitudes, and ways of living in Korean culture. This group exhibition includes sixteen contemporary artists that work across various mediums,including paintings, photography, objects and crafts. An Ode to Life be on view at PMQ from 03 June to 04 July 2020.
The uncanny dream of reconnecting with nature returns to our conscious more than ever, especially amid the materialism and neoliberal civilization where nature and human modern lifestyle are positioned in an oppositional binary. Despite the ambivalence between human and nature, throughout the history of civilization, humans always have complex cultural traditions and rituals that remind one to remember the infinite freedom, peace and joy when humans live in nature. In the Asian cultural context, of which Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism have been strong influences, this leads to a psychological outcry of desiring to live a minimalist, virtuous and spiritual life, as well as to transcend the cycle of rebirth.
In Korean culture, one of the most significant aspects of nature that illustrate the coexistence between human and the universe is the distinct four seasons, and such idea is frequently demonstrated in everyday lifestyle objects and fine art. In this group exhibition, the artists portray the idealistic imagery of life and dimensions of beauty and aesthetics in Korean culture, specifically concerning clothing, eating and living; inviting the viewer to reflect upon the happiness by living a minimalist and high quality of life in the contemporary era.
The exhibition is divided into three areas across two floors in Korean Cultural Center Hong Kong (6 & 7/F) — Clothing, Eating and Living. The first space showcases the beauty of Korean clothing culture, including Hanbok, embroideries and modern jewelry. Moving on to the adjacent section is the illustration of a Han-ok inspired residential space, depicting the essential style of authentic Korean culture. Last but not least, the seventh-floor exhibition space reveals the aesthetics of Korean food culture, exhibiting high quality Buncheong ceramic and contemporary tableware in a tranquil setting.
Kim Young-Hun
p1815-Electronic Nostalgia, 2018
Oil on canvas
131 x 97 cm
Lee Kang-Hyo
Buncheong Moon Jar #34, 2018
Buncheong ceramic
43 × 42 × 42 cm
Lee Kang-Hyo
Buncheong Moon Jar #35, 2018
Buncheong ceramic
45 × 45 × 45 cm
Kim Yongchul
Peony and Birds, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
72.7 × 50 cm
Song Kwangik
Paper Things #16, 2018
Korean paper (Hanji) and acrylic
90 × 70 cm
Song Kwangik
Paper Things #8, 2019
Korean paper (Hanji) and acrylic
140 × 100 cm
Kim Woo Young
Hanok 0056, 2016
Archival pigment print
Ed. of 3/15
79 × 63 cm
Kim Woo Young
Hanok 0053, 2016
Archival pigment print
Ed. of 15
79 x 63 cm
OMA SPACE
Tree of Light, 2019
Mixed cotton
400 x 300 x 300 cm
Lee Kyouhong
Dadeumidol #2, 2014
Cast glass
9 x 54 x 22 cm
Huh Sangwook
Buncheong Moranmoon Jar, 2018
Buncheong ceramic
45 x 40 x 40 cm
Lee Kyouhong
Darachi, 2018
Glass
15.5 x 36 x 36 cm
Lee Jung-Sook
Good Luck Gunjung Bojagi, 2013
Silk, silk–thread
120 x 110 cm
Lee Jung-Sook
Phoenix Wedding Gungjung Bojagi, 2014
Silk, silk–thread
200 x 200 cm
Lee Jung-Sook
Pheasant Royal Wedding Dress, 2015
Silk, silk–thread
Dimensions variable
Jeong Myoung jo
The Paradox of Beauty #13-01 , 2013
Acrylic and oil on canvas
97 x 162 cm
Jeong Myoung jo
The Paradox of Beauty #15-01 , 2015
Acrylic and oil on canvas
180 x 100 x 4.5 cm