As a globetrotting art enthusiast who has had the privilege of exploring the nooks and crannies of cities from Rio de Janeiro to Istanbul, I must say that Joung Young-Ju’s “Way Back Home” exhibition at Almine Rech in London is nothing short of mesmerizing. The way this South Korean artist breathes life into the humble Korean shanty towns using traditional hanji paper and painstaking detail is truly awe-inspiring.
South Korean artist Joung Young-Ju showcases a piece of Seoul for the UK audience through his solo exhibition titled “Way Back Home” at Almine Rech’s London gallery. This exhibit features an array of big paintings that depict Korean shanty towns, which seem like photographs from afar but are actually intricately detailed compositions crafted on traditional hanji paper when you get closer.
Originating from the third century and crafted from native mulberry trees, hanji paper is highly esteemed for its resilience and ability to absorb water. This unique paper is frequently utilized in Korean housing structures, and it forms both the physical and intellectual base for Young-Ju’s cozy cityscapes. She constructs these scenes by shaping small pieces of hanji and finishing them on canvas with acrylic paint.
Young-Ju intentionally replaces human figures with light images coming from each building. According to art critic Aimee Dawson, these lights symbolize the people within and strive to convey the warmth of humanity and a shared sense of community in a world that is becoming increasingly individualistic.
Although Joung’s work is deeply rooted in Korean culture, its messages resonate beyond national boundaries and transcend geographical limits. Cities worldwide, from Rio de Janeiro to Istanbul and Detroit, each have their own impromptu settlements, like the favelas, gecekondu, or slums, and Joung’s diverse mosaics of rooftops reflect this shared characteristic.
Way Back Home will be on view in London until December 20, 2024.
Almine Rech
Broadbent House,
Grosvenor Hill,
London W1K 3JH
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2024-11-26 04:25