Kookmin Ilbo | Korean Painter Kim Hyun Jung’s Candid Story — Solo Exhibition “Naesoong Olympics”
Kookmin Ilbo reported that Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung would hold her solo exhibition "2014 Naesoong Olympics" from June 19 to 30 at Insa Art Center in Insa-dong, Seoul. Part of her "Naesoong Story" series, the works capture everyday exercise scenes she observed at Yangjae Citizens' Park, Seoul since the previous autumn, including "Living for Style: Pure-Hearted Woman," "Naesoong: Well Done Today, Too," and "Naesoong: A Meeting Disguised as Coincidence." The article noted that the artist double-majored in Oriental Painting and Business Administration at Seoul National University, is currently pursuing a master's degree at the same graduate school, and teaches at Anyang Arts High School.
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Korean Painter Kim Hyun Jung's Candid Story — Solo Exhibition "Naesoong Olympics"
Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung, known for her "Naesoong Story" paintings, will hold her solo exhibition "2014 Naesoong Olympics" from June 19 to 30 on the 1st floor exhibition hall of Insa Art Center in Insa-dong, Seoul. She presents works prepared over the year since her solo exhibition last June. Works including "Living for Style: Pure-Hearted Woman," "Naesoong: Well Done Today, Too," and "Naesoong: A Meeting Disguised as Coincidence" are all thoroughly entertaining.
The artist is a rising star of the Korean painting world, gaining popularity and praised as "bold" for her fresh ideas, themes, and techniques. What draws attention is that she attempts change while remaining grounded in the theory and technique of orthodox Oriental painting. The theme of this solo exhibition, part of her "Naesoong Story" series, is "Naesoong Olympics." Since last autumn, she has been capturing everyday exercise scenes at Yangjae Citizens' Park in Seoul and putting them on canvas.
"Naesoong Story" shows our self-portrait bound by the gaze of others, while at the same time aiming for the liberation of the confined self through the recognition of that self-portrait. The artist calls it "naesoong" (coyness), but to others it reads as "the energy of self-affirmation." As if confessing her own inner self, the artist conveys messages of positivity and comfort, drawing empathy from viewers.
While her previous works captured "the worries of youth," "Naesoong Olympics" captures fragments of emotion felt in the neighborhood park — a space of liberation for "ajumma" and "ajeossi" (middle-aged women and men) — while also offering a glimpse of the artist's own reflections on responsibility and growth as an adult. On June 21, an experiential project ("I Too Can Be the Subject of a Work") will be held together with the artist and visitors. A docent program will also be offered.
The artist majored in Oriental Painting at Seoul National University with a double major in Business Administration. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Oriental Painting at the same university's graduate school and teaches at Anyang Arts High School. Immerse yourself in the fresh yet audacious "Naesoong Story" of an artist who paints her own self-portrait using an ink-wash coloring technique rarely seen in young Oriental painting, dressing her own translucent-skinned body magnificently by attaching hanji (02-736-1020).
Senior Reporter Lee Kwang-hyung ghlee@kmib.co.kr