Soluna Fine Art is pleased to present “Pian: The Other Side”, a show dedicated to four Korean Contemporary artists whose works meditate on the idea of an eastern philosophy that searches the mental state of freedom and enlightenment, through organic forms of body, shape and line. On View through November 20th t – November 30th, this exclusive exhibition presents representational works from the artists’ remarkable oeuvres, illustrating different approaches the artists’ search to “Pian”, which means “the other side” literally, or the Buddhist term Nirvana.

 

Chung Hae-Cho uses wood and lacquer as his primary medium, because those are the things that are so daring to him from his childhood. During his time in college, Chung noticed the lack of knowledge being taught about lacquer, and had decided to approach the traditional craftsman to learn more about the technique. The shapes in his works are influenced by river stone that are worn by the stream into smooth pebbles and the complex process that accumulated the pebbles. The colours of his works reflect the obangsaek - the five directional colours, the traditional colours of Korea (Red, Yellow, Blue, Black and White).

 

Kim Yong-Ho based on his concrete daily experiences, managed to grasp his own memory with unexpected composition, and featured as strange objects or his own creature. Kim was the person who always longed for “the other side.” Even if he looks at the world of this moment, his eyesight penetrates the reality, and wanders about in the past memory and future dream. Camera has no choice but to be limited in the sense of physics of the object, and by the scope of its angle. Photo is utopia described by the realistic limits. 

 

Choi Myoung-Young is a leading figure in the Dansaekhwa movement in contemporary Korean art. Dansaekhwa, which translates as “monochrome painting”, was formalized in the 1970’s in reference to Korean artists who redefined abstract painting in reaction to a turbulent socio-political environment. At the heart of Dansaekhwa is the eastern philosophy of ‘無為(Wu Wei)’; the concept of non-action, to exist in stillness and let things take their course.

 

Huh Sang-Wook is an artist who uses the traditional technique of buncheong to create works with contemporary senses. The process of including surface design and applying the buncheong technique is the most important aspect of his work. This method seeks out for traces of the past while progressing to create new interpretations. It is as though he is trying to remember every minute and day that has gone by, while living the new today to the full. Clay strips shaved and hanging from the tip of his knife, reminisce and reflect upon our lives. The rhythmical sounds made from Huh’s approaches are comparable to staccato touches in music.

 

“Pian: The Other Side” brings together works that exemplify the oriental minimal aesthetics of Asian contemporary art and these four artists. In addition to the exhibition, the gallery will open up its second floor for a selected objects and ceramic shop dedicated to this exhibition.