A house with two rooms

2GIL29 GALLERY is pleased to announce "A House with Two Rooms," a major exhibition of new works by Hongsun Choi & Kyounghwa Kwak, running from September 2nd to October 21st, 2023.  The exhibition, "A House with Two Rooms," encompasses works by both artists, who each contribute to a dialogue that extends beyond mere artistic discourse to encapsulate unique experiential spaces. Internationally celebrated more than domestically, these artists present intellectual art that meanders between modernity and tradition, art and culture, nature and artifice.

Hongsun Choi’s oeuvre is discernible for its orchestrated layers of harmony and contrast. Showcased for the first time at 2GIL29 GALLERY, his paintings reveal the infinite possibilities of the medium by fusing the language of contemporary art with the power of tradition. The paintings elicit subtle chromatic layers, creating an ethereal spatiality that is at once flat and voluminous. This effect arises from a seemingly perpetual application of repetitive brush strokes, akin to a meditative practice. Choi's works suggest a modern re-sensitization of Korean thought or Eastern roots, proposing an unseen, internal dimension beyond mere appearance.

Kyounghwa Kwak, on the other hand, works to blur the boundaries between two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces, inviting the audience to engage in interactive experiences. The art imbues the viewer with a sense of immersion, transposing one sensory modality into another to evoke synesthetic experiences. The exhibition space is transformed into an interactive sphere by the installation of a thousand stones on the floor, allowing visitors to engage not just visually but also tactually. Kwak’s oeuvre exudes an ineffable energy, especially evident in her "Let it Flow" series. As the artist’s experience accrues and time compresses, her works confront us with ever-expanding spatiality and energy. Kwak remains committed to exploring methodologies that keep the possibilities open for the viewer to organically engage with the art, be it through painting, ceramics, sculpture, or installation.

Walking side-by-side along the same artistic path, Hongsun Choi and Kyounghwa Kwak have steadfastly maintained their individual approaches to artistic creation, eschewing prevailing trends and refusing to compromise with mainstream currents. Engaged in constant experimentation that is both innovative and sensuous, they have diligently honed their unique methods and techniques over the years. The works they produce transcend mere artistic discourse, each offering a distinct space for extraordinary experiences. They willingly assume the role of cultural intermediaries, bridging traditional artistic structures with modern interpretations.

In their individually crafted artistic spaces, both artists conduct deep explorations into the foundational essence and intrinsic meanings of art. Utilizing objets d'art, installations, and paintings as their mediums, they provoke thoughtful reconsideration of what constitutes the essence and significance of art. Their work acts as a dynamic arena for contemplation, blurring the line between traditional and contemporary to elicit a new understanding of artistic experience.