Ha Chong-Hyun Retrospective at Asian Art Museum Marks First Major North American Museum Show
The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco unveiled "Ha Chong-Hyun: Retrospective," curated by Sunjung Kim, on September 25, 2026, with the exhibition continuing until January 25, 2027. This showcase includes more than 50 pieces spanning from the 1960s to 2025, representing the artist's inaugural significant exhibition in a North American museum. It emphasizes his innovative use of materials beyond Dansaekhwa, featuring early works that incorporate newspaper and industrial components, as well as selections from his Conjunction series, which he initiated in 1974. Ha's method involves applying thick pigment through hemp to create textured surfaces, while his later creations introduce vibrant colors and charred materials. The museum is situated at 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, California 94102.
Key facts
- Ha Chong-Hyun: Retrospective runs September 25, 2026–January 25, 2027 at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
- The exhibition features more than 50 works spanning the 1960s through 2025.
- It is Ha Chong-Hyun's first major North American museum exhibition, organized by guest curator Sunjung Kim.
- Ha began his celebrated Conjunction series in 1974.
- His method presses thick pigment through loosely woven hemp from behind the canvas, then manipulates it by hand or with tools.
- Hemp was commonly used for industrial sacks in postwar Korea, including those carrying relief supplies.
- Later works introduce vivid reds and blues, dense paint layers, charred materials, and ash, departing from the restrained Dansaekhwa palette.
- Conjunction 25-19 (2025) is among the newest works in the show.
Entities
Artists
- Ha Chong-Hyun
- Sunjung Kim
- Chunho An
- Kevin Candland
- Sangtae Kim
- Jaume Plensa
- Tanya Marcuse
- Jacob Hashimoto
Institutions
- Asian Art Museum
- Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
- Conjunction 1935
- SFMOMA
- Lee Bae Museum
- My Modern Met
- Art Sonje Center
- ICOM (International Council of Museums) Republic of Korea
- Gwangju Biennale Foundation
- Korean Pavilion
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- San Francisco
- United States
- California
- Korea
- Chicago
- New York
- Seoul
- South Korea
- Gwangju
- Venice
- Italy
- North America