Jong Oh's Minimalist Sculptures at Timothy Hawkinson Gallery Explore Space and Materiality

At the Timothy Hawkinson Gallery in Los Angeles, Jong Oh's solo exhibition, Goosewing, showcases ten sculptures that intricately manipulate space with a lyrical touch. The exhibition runs from January 5 to February 8, 2024, featuring creations crafted from common materials such as wood, fishing wire, string, and marbles. Oh's work is reminiscent of the Mono-ha movement from 1960s Japan and Korea, yet his spatial arrangements are more subtle and reflective compared to that group's bold expressions. Three pieces titled Light Drawing (2024) utilize acrylic pipes and LEDs for a clinical glow, while three Folding Drawing works produce optical effects with white-painted wood panels and articulated wire. These sculptures interact with the gallery's architecture, creating a dynamic interplay with the sensory chaos of Los Angeles. Despite their basic materials, Oh's art achieves a refined balance, reducing sculpture to essential forms. For instance, Line Sculpture (marble with bead) #1, made from angular dark-brown wood, wire, bead, and marble, explores minimalist ideas without radical pretext. The exhibition's tension between visibility and concealment resonates like unresolved musical chords, with Oh's precise yet fluid designs transforming simple lines into significant motifs in contemporary art.