South Korean artist Suki Seokyeong Kang, known for Grandmother Tower series, dies at 48

On Sunday, Suki Seokyeong Kang, a South Korean artist renowned for her diverse practices in sculpture, installation, painting, video, and performance, passed away. Her artistic endeavors frequently examined the intersection of traditional Korean philosophy and heritage with modern human experiences. One of her notable series, Grandmother Tower, originated in 2011 and was later reinterpreted in various sculptures, including one for the 2024 Venice Biennale. These pieces, often constructed from hooped dish carriers on wheeled frames, emphasized the fragile relationship between individuals and their environments. Kang studied oriental painting at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, later becoming a professor there, and earned her MA in painting from London's Royal College of Art in 2012. Her gallery, Kukje, paid tribute to her on social media, highlighting her significant impact on Korean contemporary art by challenging traditional ideas and exploring the individual's role in society. In a 2019 profile for ArtReview, Mark Rappolt noted that her work created spaces for both stillness and movement.