Ha Chong-Hyun's 'Conjunction' Exhibition at Tina Kim Gallery Explores Dansaekhwa and Korean Identity
Ha Chong-Hyun's exhibition titled 'Conjunction' was held at the Tina Kim Gallery in New York City from May 4 to June 16, 2018. The showcase featured monochrome paintings that delve into themes of Korean identity. Linked to the Dansaekhwa movement from the 1970s, Ha's use of the term 'Conjunction' is reminiscent of practices by artists such as Park Seo-Bo and Lee Ufan. His method includes the application of blackened smoke and monochromatic pigments, drawing inspiration from techniques of the Chosun Dynasty. Key pieces include 'Conjunction (16-322)' in blue, 'Conjunction (17-25)' in red, 'Conjunction 16-382' with white lines, and 'Conjunction 16-321,' which reflects Hangul. The exhibition highlights how Dansaekhwa artists confronted identity during South Korea's military dictatorship, offering an Eastern viewpoint on concepts and materials.
Key facts
- Ha Chong-Hyun's exhibition 'Conjunction' was held at Tina Kim Gallery in New York City from May 4 to June 16, 2018.
- The artist is associated with the Dansaekhwa (monochrome) movement that emerged in South Korea in the early 1970s.
- Other Dansaekhwa artists include Park Seo-Bo, Lee Ufan, and Yun Hyung-Keun, though they did not consider themselves a collective.
- Ha's paintings use techniques inspired by the Chosun Dynasty, such as pushing mineral pigments through hemp cloth.
- Works like 'Conjunction (16-322)' and 'Conjunction (17-25)' reference historical methods from the 17th century.
- In 'Conjunction 16-382', white paint was pulled diagonally across a surface tinted with blackened smoke.
- 'Conjunction 16-321' employs vertical globs of thick paint derived from Hangul, the Korean writing system.
- The exhibition explores themes of Korean identity, shaped by the context of military dictatorship in 1970s South Korea.
Entities
Artists
- Ha Chong-Hyun
- Park Seo-Bo
- Lee Ufan
- Yun Hyung-Keun
- Morris Louis
- Sam Gilliam
Institutions
- Tina Kim Gallery
- artcritical
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- South Korea