소코
SOCKO

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

‘Eternal Journey’ marks the Korean debut solo exhibition of Korean-born, New York-based artist SOCKO. Among the four sculptures and fifteen paintings comprising the exhibition, which explores external and internal voyages, Merry-Go-Round serves as a touching metaphor for the return to innocence.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

Its three subjects, riding on the carousel, embody the essence of youth. As the carousel spins and they fade into the composition’s background, their gradual obfuscation reflects childhood’s transience, capturing the ephemeral nature of innocence.
Yet, the sculpture’s message remains ultimately hopeful. Just as the carousel carries its passengers, along with their innocence, away from view, so too will it bring them back again. The artist invites us to embrace our inner childlike wonder even in adulthood.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

‘Eternal Journey’ represents a new body of paintings and sculptures focused on Dough, a recurring protagonist across SOCKO’s oeuvre. Dough personifies fragments of collective memory and nostalgia, characterized by bright, joyful eyes and a warm smile.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

Drawing from the artist’s childhood experiences across South Korea, Canada, Los Angeles, and New York, Dough amalgamates personal and universal nostalgia, crafting an imaginative world that invites viewers to relate.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

In his paintings, SOCKO utilizes materials such as acrylic, oil stick, concrete, and glossy mixed-media elements to create rich tableaus, highlighting Dough’s signature wide eyes. This creates an initial visual flatness that belies the works’ texture and dimensionality.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

In contrast, his sculptures are flawlessly fabricated from varnished resin, electrical motors, and crystal glass. Across all media, the artist’s use of soft pastels and dreamlike neutral tones contributes to an atmosphere of serenity and introspection.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

The exhibition orbits around four sculptures, its centerpiece being a four foot tall Dough Cat peering out in wonder from behind a towering wooden wall. In contrast to this monolithic work, Merry-Go-Round incorporates dynamic movement—shifting up and down as it spins. Equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, this carousel plays music to evoke childhood memories and invite viewers to participate.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

‘Eternal Journey’ marks a homecoming in SOCKO’s artistic journey, presenting a mature and profound reflection on time, memory, and the cyclical nature of life.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

ABOUT THE ARTIST
SOCKO (Sae Hoon Jang), born in 1993, is a Korean-born, New York-based artist who currently works and lives in Manhattan. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City, earning his BFA in 2019 and his Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in 2021.

Installation view, Socko: Eternal Journey, November 8 – December 21, 2024. Artwork © Socko. Courtesy of the Artist and ELIGERE. Photo: Hyosup Jung

Drawing from his past associations with fashion, the moniker SOCKO serves as both an alter ego and a mission statement. Defined as “stunningly effective, aiming at the target,” the name resonates with SOCKO’s artistic intentions. He states, “I want to spread my art into people’s lives forever and hit that target, connecting with people effectively.”

ELIGERE
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+82 2 518 4287

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