“The most important sculptures of all civilizations are rather small. Almost all of them.”
- Alberto Giacometti (1942–1945)
Various Small Fires (VSF) proudly presents the fourth edition of THE UNBOXING PROJECT, an iterative curatorial project by Hyunjoo Byeon and Minjin Chae started in 2022. This exhibition brings together some of the most well-known and emerging voices in Korean contemporary art and is the American debut for many. In total, twenty-eight artists between the ages of thirty-three and eighty-nine made work for this project in response to a single prompt by the curators.
Before conceiving their individual work for the exhibition, each artist received an identical (11.5 in x 11.5 in) wall mounted pedestal from the curators, each packed in an identical box, also intended to house the entirety of the work. As a prompt, they were encouraged to approach the confines of the plinth as an autonomous exhibition space. The resulting works are diverse in material and formal approach as well as scale - despite the fact that the primary constraint for the project inherently limits their size.
Several works in The Unboxing Project are deeply rooted in personal and collective memory around their Korean identity. Choong Sup Lim, having moved from Jincheon, Korea to New York, projects his “in-between” identity by utilizing the sparrow in his work, identifying with the bird that adapts to urban environments by altering its communication to higher octaves. Kim Yun Shin employs birch wood sourced from Yanggoo, Korea, near her hometown in North Korea, to thread the needle between nature and a personal art practice.
Meekyoung Shin’s Toilet Project invites viewers to engage with sculptures that have been cast in soap and placed in museum restrooms for visitors to use. Transformed through human interaction, these objects are exhibited as new artifacts, blurring the boundaries between art and functional objects.
Gwon Osang and Jong Oh use the sculptural qualities of the pedestal to deconstruct its individual elements. Gwon constructs three-dimensional forms from two-dimensional photographs, generating spatial complexity from flat imagery. Jong Oh uses flexible materials like thread to craft minimalist works that engage directly with their surroundings. In this exhibition, Oh introduces mirrors into his work for the first time, transforming the viewer’s perception and engagement with space.
Yeesookyung’s Translated Vase series redefines conventional ideas perfection by assembling broken shards of Korean pottery that failed to meet traditional standards. Her meticulous reconstruction of these fragments with gold caulking argues for new systems of value.
Ultimately, the twenty-eight pedestals presented in this exhibition serve as a unifying framework to highlight the rich multiplicity of experiences and interactions that occur from studio to studio.
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Ahnnlee Lee (b. 1985) is an artist whose work is inspired by the small, often unnoticed events that resemble seeds sprouting and flowers blooming. Lee completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris before returning to Korea to develop his artistic career further. Each of his artworks tells a unique narrative within the artist’s imaginative universe. Recent exhibitions include solo shows such as Puck, Nocturnal Paintings and Orange Sleep at One and J Gallery Seoul, KR (2024; 2023), and group exhibitions like How Are You Feeling Today? at Gyeonggi Museum of Art, Ansan, KR (2023); Acquainted with the Night at One and J Gallery and Frieze No. 9 Cork Street, London, UK (2023); and I, etcetera at Hite Collection, Seoul, KR (2020).
Choong Sup Lim (b. 1941) is a versatile artist whose creative endeavors encompass painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, and video. His artistic journey commenced at Seoul National University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1964. Seeking further artistic enrichment, Lim ventured to New York City, where he honed his craft at The Brooklyn Museum Art School and the Art Students League of New York. In 1993, he attained a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University.
Rooted in the dynamic interplay between urban landscapes and natural environments, Lim’s artistic vision reflects his upbringing in Jincheon, Korea, and his immersion in the bustling metropolis of New York City. He characterizes his work as visual satires, navigating the intricacies of contemporary existence while invoking sentiments of nostalgia and introspection.
Lim’s artistic oeuvre has been showcased extensively on both national and international stages, with his works featured in prestigious solo and group exhibitions. Recent solo exhibitions include Stroke at Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, KR (2023); Void at The Korea Society Gallery, New York, NY (2015); and Choong Sup Lim: Luna and Her Thousand Reflections at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, KR (2012). His art has graced esteemed institutions and galleries such as Pace Gallery, Seoul; Whanki Museum, Seoul; Asian American Arts Center, New York; Smithsonian International Gallery, Washington D.C.; Queens Museum, Queens; Johannesburg Biennale, and Gwangju Biennale.
His work extends to renowned collections worldwide, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea, Seoul Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C., and the Asian American Arts Center in New York, among others.
Soyoung Chung (b. 1979) spent her childhood in France and Russia before graduating from the National School of Fine Arts in Paris. Navigating between cultures, she now primarily works in Seoul. Her recent solo exhibitions include on my way, baby at CR Collective, Seoul, KR (2022) and Sea Cucumber, Manganese and Ear at One and J Gallery, Seoul, KR (2021), among others. Chung’s work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions at prestigious institutions both domestically and internationally, including the Seoul Mediacity Biennale, Seoul, KR (2023); Royal Academy of Art, London, UK (2020); Nottingham New Art Exchange, Nottingham, UK (2017); SongEun ArtSpace, Seoul, KR (2016); Amorepacific Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2016); Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2015); and Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2012). She has participated in various residency programs, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s Goyang Residency (2021), London Delfina Foundation Residency (2017), Berlin ZK/U (2017), and SeMA Nanji Residency (2012). She was awarded the SongEun Art Award in 2016.
Sunpil Don (b. 1984) interprets language and society through the lens of “materialization.” Utilizing his affection for subculture as a critical tool, he produces sculptures and videos. He majored in Printmaking at Hongik University, Seoul, and continued to study in the Department of Fine Arts at the Graduate School of Seoul National University of Science and Technology. Don held solo exhibitions at various venues such as YPC Space, Seoul, KR (2022); Little Art Sonje Center at Kunsthal Aarhus, Aarhus, DK (2021); Art Sonje Center, Seoul, KR (2020), Arario Museum, Seoul, KR (2019), Tastehous, Seoul, KR (2018), and Audio Visual Pavilion (Seoul, 2016). He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions at institutions such as the Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2024); Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2022); Grassi Museum of Applied Arts, Leipzig, DE (2018); and the Print Room, London, UK (2017). In recognition of his work, Don won the grand prize at the 15th Space International Print Biennale in 2009 and received the Excellence Award in the visual arts category at the 1st Seoul Arts Awards in 2023. His works are included in the collections of the Arario Museum, Seoul.
Donghoon Rhee (b. 1991) graduated from the Department of Painting at Kyung Hee University, Seoul, furthering his studies at the Graduate School of Fine Art at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. Rhee’s artistic practice traverses the realms of painting and sculpture, weaving together themes of identity, memory, and cultural exploration. Rhee has showcased his works in notable solo exhibitions, including presentations at Gallery SP, Seoul, KR (2021; 2023); Various Small Fires, Los Angeles, CA (2022); and Drawing Room, Seoul, KR (2019). Moreover, he has actively participated in numerous group exhibitions, presenting his artworks at esteemed venues such as Salihara Art Center, Jakarta, IDN (2023); Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2022); Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art, Jeju, KR (2022); and Ulsan Art Museum, Ulsan, KR (2022). The artistic contributions of Donghoon Rhee have been recognized by institutions such as the Ulsan Art Museum and Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art, where his works are housed as part of their permanent collections.
Eun Yeoung Lee (b. 1982) earned her BFA and MFA from École Nationale Supérieure d’Art, Villa Arson, Nice, and completed her postgraduate studies at CERCCO, Haute École d’Art et de Design, Geneva. In 2015, she returned to Korea and has since made significant contributions to the art scene. Lee has held solo exhibitions at notable venues including Vohm Gallery, Seoul, KR (2023); Amado Art Space, Seoul, KR (2018); OCI Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2016); and Palais de l’Athénée, Geneva, CH (2015). She has also participated in various group exhibitions both domestically and internationally. Additionally, Lee was selected as a resident artist at Clayarch Gimhae Museum, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s Goyang Residency, Fonderie Darling Residency in Montreal, and Art Mia Foundation’s Residency in Hong Kong.
Eunu Lee (b. 1982) lives and works in Seoul. She graduated from the Department of Fine Art at the Korea National University of Arts, Seoul, where she also studied in her graduate program. Lee has held major solo exhibitions including The Shape of Touch at the Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2023); Perpendicular Mind at Prompt Project, Seoul, KR (2022); and Pairs at SongEun Art Space, Seoul, KR (2021). She has also participated in numerous group exhibitions at prestigious institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Busan, Busan; Ulsan Art Museum, Ulsan; and Gyeonggi Museum of Art, Ansan, and was awarded the Grand Prize in the Visual Arts category at the 2023 Seoul Art Awards.
Gimhongsok (b. 1964) lives and works in Seoul. He graduated from the Department of Sculpture, Seoul National University, and studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf in the 1990s. His major solo exhibitions include Normal Order Aimed at Failure at Kukje Gallery, Seoul, KR (2024); Dwarf, Dust, Doubt at Tina Kim Gallery, New York, NY (2018), EVERY, DAY, ACTS, LIKE, LIFE at Perrotin Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (2018); Xijing is Not Xijing at Therefore Xijing is Xijing, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, (2016); The World of Sijing at National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, KR (2015); and Good Labor Bad Art at Plateau, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2013). He has also participated in major international group exhibitions, including the Yokohama Triennale (2014), Gwangju Biennale (2012), Lyon Biennale (2009), and Venice Biennale (2005, 2003). Gim’s works are housed in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; The Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane; Le Consortium, Dijon; Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto; 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa; National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul; Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Ansan; Museum of Contemporary Art Busan, Busan; and Posco Museum, Pohang.
Goen Choi (b. 1985) studied sculpture at Seoul National University’s College and Graduate School of Fine Arts. She debuted with her solo exhibition Thorso at Kim Chong Yung Museum, Seoul in 2016. This was followed by Orange Podium at Audio Visual Pavilion, Seoul, KR (2018); Vivid Cut at P21, Seoul, KR (2021); and Cornering at Amado Art Space, Seoul, KR (2022). Choi has also participated in numerous group exhibitions held at the Wooran Foundation, Seoul, KR (2020); Arko Art Museum, Seoul, KR (2019); Art Sonje Center, Seoul, KR (2018); and Asia Culture Center, Gwangju, KR (2017). Her accolades include being selected as the 13th resident artist at SeMA Nanji Residency in 2019, the 9th resident artist at Seoul Art Space Geumcheon from 2017 to 2018, and a Creative Young Artist by the Kim Chong Yung Museum in 2016. In 2024, she won Frieze Seoul’s Artist Award and presented a new commission work.
Gwon Osang (b. 1974) graduated from Hongik University, Seoul, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sculpture. Since his debut in the art world in 1999, he has held solo exhibitions internationally at venues such as the Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2022); Space Type, Seoul, KR (2021); Arario Gallery, Seoul, KR; Shanghai, CN (2016); Hermès, Sydney, AU (2016); and Okinawa Contemporary Art Center, Okinawa, Japan (2015).He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions both domestically and internationally, including the V&A, London, UK (2022); HITE Collection, Seoul, KR (2022); Daelim Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2020); National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, KR (2015); Singapore National Gallery, Singapore (2014); Busan Biennale, Busan, KR (2014); and Asian Art Triennial, Manchester, UK (2008). In 2013, he won the Kimsechoong Sculpture Prize, and his works are held in collections such as the Singapore National Gallery, Singapore; Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul; Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul; Busan Museum of Art, Busan; Art Sonje Center, Seoul; Zabludowicz Collection, London, and the Hermès Collection in the United States.
Haneyl Choi (b. 1991) is a sculptor who explores the unique capabilities of sculpture by deconstructing and reassembling various materials and objects. He graduated from the Department of Sculpture at Seoul National University and the Department of Fine Arts at Korea National University of Arts, Seoul. Choi has held solo exhibitions at prominent galleries and museums, including P21, Seoul, KR (2022); Arario Museum, Seoul, KR (2021); and Commonwealth & Council, Los Angeles, CA (2018). He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions at esteemed institutions both domestically and internationally, such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul; Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul; Asia Culture Center, Gwangju; Museum of Contemporary Art, Busan, Busan; Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul and Art Sonje Center, Seoul.
Hansaem Kim (b. 1990) began his artistic journey with a bachelor’s degree in the Department of Fine Arts at Hongik University, Seoul, followed by a master’s degree in Fine Art from the Seoul National University of Science and Technology. In his work, Kim intertwines elements of ritualistic symbols with fantastical imagery like dragons, monsters, and unicorns, offering a fresh perspective on kitsch and popular culture. The artist has showcased his art in solo exhibitions such as Fire Devil at Space Catalog, Seoul, KR (2023); Sword and Sorcery at This Weekend Room, Seoul, KR (2021); and Dragon’s Fire at Tastehouse, Seoul, KR (2020). In 2020, he was honored with the grand prize at the 5th BNK Youth Artist Art Prize. Kim’s work is held in the collection of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.
Hyunsoo Lee (b. 1981) studied at the Department of Fine Arts of Seoul National University of Science and Technology and completed the graduate program at the Korea National University of Arts. He earned his master’s degree in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Lee’s major solo exhibitions include PAPASTEL at Incheon Art Platform, Incheon, KR (2022); EVERGREEN at SeMA Storage, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2021); Playing Drawing: after drawing at Post Territory Ujeongguk, Seoul, KR (2018); and Playing Drawing: before drawing at Seoul Art Space Seogyo, Seoul, KR (2018). Lee has been recognized with several prestigious residencies and awards. He was selected as an artist in residence at the 13th Cheongju Art Studio (2019); named Seoul Museum of Art’s Emerging Artist (2021); participated in the 13th Incheon Art Platform Residency (2022); and was chosen for the 17th SeMA Nanji Residency (2023).
Inbai Kim (b. 1978) is a distinguished artist who graduated from the esteemed Department of Sculpture and its graduate program at Hongik University, Seoul. His artistic journey is marked by a series of captivating solo exhibitions, including Do You Remember Love? at Perigee Gallery, Seoul, KR (2020); and Foolish Being_Child at Arario Gallery, Shanghai, CN (2019). In addition to his solo shows, Kim has been a notable presence in group exhibitions such as Panorama at SongEun, Seoul, KR (2023); Kak at Hite Collection, Seoul, KR (2022); Border Crossings: North and South Korean Art from the Sigg Collection at Kunstmuseum Bern, Bern, CH (2021); and Compulsion to Repeat² at Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2019). His artistic contributions have garnered recognition, with his works being held in esteemed collections at institutions including the Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul; Daegu Art Museum, Daegu; Arario Museum, Seoul and the Sigg Collection, Switzerland.
Isaac Moon (b.1986) is a sculptor who graduated from Kookmin University in Seoul, completing both undergraduate and graduate studies in the Department of Sculpture. Moon’s artistic practice centers on reimagining the traditional concept of sculpture through acts of addition and subtraction, while also delving into the plasticity of art. His exploration challenges established notions of visuality, objecthood, and the viewer experience. Moon has showcased his works in noteworthy solo exhibitions, including Rock & Roll at Museum Head, Seoul, KR (2022); Beam Me Up! at Geumho Museum, Seoul, KR (2021); and Doppelgänger at Factory2, Seoul, KR (2019). Additionally, he has actively contributed to various group exhibitions, such as Formula at Primary Practice, Seoul, KR (2023); SongEun Art Award at SongEun, Seoul, KR (2023); and Sculptural Impulse at Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2022), among others.
Jaiyoung Cho (b.1979) is a distinguished sculptor who graduated from the Department of Sculpture and the Graduate School of Ewha Womans University, Seoul. Cho furthered her education with a master’s degree in Fine Art from the Utrecht School of the Arts in the Netherlands. She has presented solo exhibitions at esteemed venues such as Carvalho Park, New York, NY (2024); Krognoshuset, Lund, SE (2021); and the Geumho Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2016). Her work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions at prestigious institutions both domestically and internationally, including the Amorepacific Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2022), Atelier Hermès, Seoul, KR (2020); Doosan Gallery, Seoul, KR (2017); and the Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2016). Cho has participated in various artist residencies, including those at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s Goyang Residency, SeMA Nanji Residency, and Seoul Art Space Geumcheon.
Jiieh G Hur (b. 1982) explores the interplay between personal history and cultural identity through her evocative artworks. Having spent her adolescence in California, USA, shuttling between Illinois and Chicago, Hur received a scholarship from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and earned her MFA in 2011. Her prominent solo exhibitions include Let’s Meet After the Thunderstorm at Alltego, Seoul, KR (2021) and Electric Smash at Whistle, Seoul, KR (2019). Hur’s work has also been featured in group exhibitions at renowned institutions such as the Detroit Institute of Contemporary Art, One and J Gallery, and Salon de H. Hur has been the recipient of grants from prestigious organizations including the Chicago City Hall and the Joyce Foundation. She has been living and working in Seoul for over a decade, continually deepening her engagement with Korean culture and art.
Jong Oh (b. 1981) graduated from Hongik University, Seoul, with a degree in Sculpture, later earning a master’s degree in Fine Art from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His artistic practice navigates the intersection of space, form, and perception, creating ephemeral installations that challenge viewers’ spatial awareness and sensory experience. Oh has presented his works in major solo exhibitions such as Merestone at Sabrina Amrani Gallery, Madrid, Spain (2023); First Echo at One and J Gallery, Seoul, KR (2022); A Pause On The Arc at Doosan Gallery, Seoul, KR (2021); The Moon Is Yawning at Marc Straus Gallery, New York, NY (2021); and Corner Dialog at Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2018). Additionally, Oh has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including Offsite at Art Sonje Center, Seoul, KR (2023); SongEun Art Award at SongEun, Seoul, KR (2020); Negative Space at ZKM Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe, DE (2019); and Sculpting With Air at DeCordova Museum, Massachusetts, 2018). His contributions to the contemporary art scene have been recognized with awards such as the 33rd Kimsechoong Young Sculptor Award in 2022 and the Excellence Award at the 20th SongEun Art Award in 2021.
Jung Uk Yang (b. 1982) graduated from Gyeongwon University’s Department of Sculpture in 2011. He gained recognition in 2013 when he won an award at the JoongAng Art Exhibition for his work Fatigue Always Comes with Dreams. Yang has held solo exhibitions at Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, KR (2019); Doosan Gallery, New York, NY (2015); OCI Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2015; 2021); and Kerjanic Museum, Vannes, 2017). He has also participated in group exhibitions at major institutions such as Sunggok Museum of Art, Gyeonggi Museum of Art, Doosan Gallery, Seoul Museum of Art, Nam June Paik Art Center, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. In 2024, he is selected as one of the four finalists for the Korea Artist Prize by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. His works are part of collections at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, Gyeonggi Museum of Art, Busan Museum of Modern Art, Daejeon Museum of Art, and OCI Museum of Art.
Jungyoon Hyen (b. 1990) graduated from the Department of Western Painting at Ewha Womans University and achieved her master’s degree in Sculpture from the Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom. Her major solo exhibitions include See You Down the Road at Factory2, Seoul, KR (2021); I Swim to Cry at SongEun ArtCube, Seoul, KR (2020); and You Again at OS, Seoul, KR (2019). Hyen’s work has also been showcased in numerous group exhibitions, including Offsite at Art Sonje Center, Seoul, KR (2023) and Young Korean Artist 2021 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, KR (2021). Hyen has further honed her practice through residencies at Seoul Art Space Geumcheon (2022) and the Goyang Residency run by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (2021).
Byoungho Kim (b. 1974) is an acclaimed artist who masterfully utilizes metal and media to create compelling sculptures and installations. A graduate of Hongik University’s College of Fine Arts, Seoul (2000), Kim furthered his interdisciplinary expertise by studying Art Engineering as a research fellow designated by the Ministry of Science and Technology for three years. Kim has presented his work in notable solo exhibitions, including Enchanted Memories at WWNN Galleryk, Seoul, KR (2024); The Climax at K11 Art Center, Shenyang, CN (2022); Invisible Object at Seoul Olympic Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2010); and Two Silences at Gastatelier der Stadt Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main (2009). He has also been featured in numerous group exhibitions both domestically and internationally, such as APMA, CHAPTER ONE at Amore Pacific Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2019); Mediated Memory at Songgwangsa Templel, Suncheon, KR (2016); Jing’an International Sculpture Project, Jing’an Sculpture Park, Shanghai, CN (2012); and Korean Eye at Saatchi Gallery London, UK (2012). Kim’s works are held in prestigious collections, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Amorepacific Museum of Art, Seoul; Kulturamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main; and New World Development, Hong Kong.
Kim Yun Shin (b. 1935, Wonsan, present-day North Korea) is a pioneering first-generation Korean woman sculptor, whose diverse practice spans wood and stone sculpture, lithography, and painting. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture of Hongik University, Seoul in 1959, Kim furthered her studies in sculpture and lithography at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. In 1984, captivated by Argentina’s expansive landscapes, Kim relocated to Buenos Aires, where the region’s robust wood allowed her to explore architectural structures and cohesive forces in her work.
Recent solo exhibitions include Nam-Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2023); Whitewave Art Center, Seoul, KR (2022, 2015); E2Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2022); Korean Cultural Center, Buenos Aires, AR (2022, 2021, 2018); Korean Cultural Center, Warsaw, PL (2019); Korean Cultural Center, Madrid, Spain (2019); Centro Cultural Pilar, Buenos Aires, AR (2017); Cabildo, Córdoba, Spain (2016); and Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno Mendoza, Mendoza, AR (2015). Kim has also participated in numerous group exhibitions and events at prestigious institutions, including the Venice Biennale; International Sculpture Symposium, Rosario; Exhibition of Korean Artists in South America, São Paulo; Beijing International Sculpture Symposium, Beijing; International Sculpture Symposium, Buenos Aires; Exposición Grupal de la Asociación Artes Plásticas Coreana, Buenos Aires, among others.
Her works are held in major collections worldwide, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul; Hanwon Museum of Art, Seoul; Museo de Arte Moderno, Buenos Aires; Museo de Arte López Claro, Azul; Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City; Korean-Spanish Sculpture Park, Gwangju; Beijing International Sculpture Park, Beijing; Central Post Office, Rosario; Korea Land and Housing Corporation, Seoul; Asan Social Welfare Foundation, Seoul; Asan Medical Center, Seoul; and Central Sports Park, Iksan. Kim currently divides her time between Argentina and Korea.
Kyungwoo Han (b. 1979) graduated from the Department of Sculpture at Seoul National University. He furthered his studies by earning a master’s degree in New Media from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Han began his artistic career in the United States before returning to Korea in 2010, where he held a solo exhibition at Alternative Space LOOP, Seoul. His work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions, including those at the Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2012), and the Busan Biennale (2014). Han has been recognized with the 11th SongEun Art Award and notably designed the award stage for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Currently, he is a professor in the Department of Sculpture at Seoul National University of Science and Technology.
Meekyoung Shin (b. 1967) is a distinguished artist whose creative journey spans continents and disciplines. She obtained her foundational education from Seoul National University’s Department of Sculpture and its graduate school, further enriching her artistic acumen with master’s degrees from UCL Slade School of Fine Art and the Royal College of Art in the UK. Shin’s artistic oeuvre has left an indelible mark on the global art landscape, with over 30 solo exhibitions gracing prestigious venues both domestically and internationally. Her captivating sculptures have been celebrated in solo showcases that invite viewers to delve into realms of cultural exploration and material innovation. Furthermore, Shin’s artistic prowess shines through her participation in over 200 international group exhibitions. The artistic legacy of Meekyoung Shin is further solidified by the inclusion of her works in esteemed institutions worldwide. Her sculptures adorn the collections of renowned museums and galleries, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, Seoul National University Museum of Art, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Princesshof Museum, British Council, and Bristol Museum of Art, among others.
Sang A Han (b. 1987) reinterprets traditional Korean art materials in the context of contemporary art. A graduate of the Department of Oriental Painting and its graduate school at Hongik University, Seoul, Han’s work bridges historical techniques and modern aesthetics. Her major solo exhibitions include Black Frame at Galleria Fumagalli, Milan, Italy (2024); Pointed Warmth at By Foundry, Seoul, KR (2022); Pointed Mind at OCI Museum of Art, Seoul, KR (2022); Unfamiliar Wave at SongEun ArtCube, Seoul, KR (2019); and Unfamiliar Space at Weekend, Seoul, KR (2018). Her work has also been featured in various prestigious group exhibitions at institutions such as the Seoul National University Museum of Art, Seoul, (2022); SongEun ArtSpace, Seoul, KR (2019); and the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju, KR (2018). Recognized for her innovative approach, Han was selected for the OCI Young Creatives program in 2021. She further developed her practice during her residency at Seoul Art Space Geumcheon from 2023 to 2024.
Sla Cha (b. 1989) was born in Germany, the land of toys and machines. As a sculptor, she delights in playing with toys, drawing inspiration from comics, films, and games. Her work explores the language of games and the scale and operation of real objects, creating playful yet thought-provoking sculptures. After completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sculpture at Seoul National University, Cha has showcased her talent through various solo exhibitions such as PET at Catalog, Seoul, KR (2022); The Floor is Lava at Gallery Sosho, Seoul, KR (2019); and Ancient Soul++ at Tastehouse, Seoul, KR (2018). Her work has also been featured in numerous group exhibitions, including Local! at 3Q,pie, Seoul, KR (2023), Perigee Winter Show at Perigee Gallery (Seoul, KR (2022); Kak at Hite Collection, Seoul, KR (2022); New Way to Live for $١ at Suwon Museum of Art, Suwon, KR (2019); and HARDCORE FUTUREGRAPHY at Culture Station Seoul 284, Seoul, KR (2019).
Wonwoo Lee (b. 1981) reinterprets elements of daily life with a unique sense of humor and wit, disrupting daily routines and revitalizing mundane subjects. His work incorporates playful imaginations where giants cast away anxiety, and symbols of luck—such as clovers, stars, and rainbows—alongside trivial conversations and objects with distorted shapes and meanings. These elements function as self-defensive jokes and warnings against the banal world. Lee works across various genres, including performance, sculpture, painting, photography, video, and text. He is a member of the “…Joketta Project” and “MLH,” a multi-genre group. His works have been exhibited at prominent museums such as the Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul; Art Sonje Center, Seoul; Amorepacific Museum of Art, Seoul and Songzhuang Art Gallery in Beijing. The artist’s work is held in collections including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Seoul Museum of Art; Ace Hotel, Seoul; and the Sigg Collection in Switzerland.
Yeesookyung (b. 1964) has steadily expanded her artistic practice into diverse areas, including installation, sculpture, performance, video art, painting, and drawing. Her work is grounded in a rich narrative imagination and explores fundamental themes such as the past and present, life and death, reality and unreality, the secular and sacred, individuals and others, society and systems, and cross-cultural experiences. Yee has established her presence on the international stage with numerous solo exhibitions, including Moonlight Crowns at Art Sonje Center, Seoul, KR (2021); Whisper Only to You at Madre and Capodimonte Museum, Naples, Italy (2019); Saint Breeder at Atelier Hermès, Seoul, KR (2015); and When I Become You, Yeesookyung in Taipei at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei, TW (2015). She has also participated in group exhibitions at international art institutions such as Philadelphia Museum of Art, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, Kunstmuseum Bern, Power Station of Art Shanghai, and Venice Biennale. Her works are included in the collections of prominent museums worldwide, such as The British Museum, London; LACMA, Los Angeles; Seoul Museum of Art; Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, Abu Dhabi; M+ Museum, Hong Kong; Mystetskyi Arsenal, Kyiv; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea; Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul; ARCO Collection, IFEMA, Madrid; Bristol Museum, Bristol; and the Art Institute of Chicago.