By Amanda Moses
A new art exhibit is showing New Yorkers that “SoHo’s Got Seoul” thanks to five South Korean artists showcasing a whole new side to the K-Pop industry at a Manhattan gallery from February 1st to March 1st.
Over the past decade K-Pop has enamored the world with its positive message, full access to artists through social media and reality shows, Korean dramas and so much more. However, there is so much more to Korean culture, and K-Pop is simply one beautiful layer in a wide spectrum of art. With this in mind, world renowned curator Dr. Stephanie Seugmmin Kim shared that she wanted to work with art entertainers, also known as “artainers,” who are showcasing the persona behind the idol image.
In collaboration with Park West Gallery, located at 411 West Broadway, Dr. Kim earned (who has earned the title for visionary due to her skillful eye that has worked over 2 decades with 600 artists in over 22 cities) curated a masterful exhibit that not only showcases talented artists and pioneers of Korean K-Pop: Jae-Yong Choi, Ko Jun, Jian Kwon (aka Solbi), Min-Woo Lee, and Jun Shim (Negativ,) but it also has each work of art displayed next to history’s most iconic painters.
Actor, director and all-around cool guy KO Jun has his work displayed next to Toulouse-Lautrec due to their dreamscape style and animated appearance. Throughout his career in Korean dramas and films, Jun has often portrayed the tough guy, but that is only a character that has been outlined and planned out for film. In life, Jun seems to be freer spirited and kind, and his work showcases this through flowing paint strokes that appear more dream-like. In hindsight, Jun thinks his voyeuristic style captures characters he would like to play one day.
K-Pop pioneer, musical wonder, and killer dancer Min-woo LEE has his intricate works placed adjacent to Pablo Picasso (which has garnered Lee the nickname Min-Casso). For over 26 years, Lee has astounded the K-Pop world with his music and dance skills, and now he sets to amaze with his painting prowess. Lee gives the world a deeper look behind his idol life and into his childhood, career, dreams and overall life one brush stroke at a time.
With an ethereal voice, bright smile and wicked dance moves Jian Kwon (Solbi) has her hand painted (she uses her fingers instead of brushes) next to her inspiration Renoir. The K-Pop world is not an easy one because your life and image is put out on public display for others to critique. Kwon was a victim of cyberbullying and decided to use art as a form of healing. It was through this experience she transformed her pain into a positive message for others and hopes the flowers and vast swirls of landscapes she paints will provide the same healing for viewers.
Contemporary artist and indescribably talented in a multitude of artistic mediums (sculpting and painting) Jae-Yong Choi’s work is showcased alongside Dürer. Choi’s paintings signify how it is not easy being the head of one’s household. Historically, patriarchy, has played a part in Korean culture. Choi’s art showcases that no matter the person’s sex, to be the head of any household is demanding, but it is also a vulnerable state of being. This stripped-down state of being placed at the forefront of the family was captured beautiful by Choi who underscores this sort of exposure utilizing the image of a deer (symbolizing weakness) and the word Jager—which translates to hunter—the provider of the family.
A photographer and director who needs to no introduction because his lens simply speaks for itself, is Jun Shim (Negativ) who has his mixed media painting placed next to Miro. Using his photographs, Shim layers paint and key words that trigger emotional responses. The words “hope,” “photography is dead,” and “I’m only happy when it rains”, each evoke a sense of pain, lust, and isolation—or whatever the viewer wants to perceive—creating a piece of art that truly showcases the Soul of Seoul.
The exhibit is on display at 411 West Broadway until March 1st.
Photos by Amanda Moses
