Choi Myeong-jin, Lim Il-min

Choi Myeong-jin, paradise, 53.2 x 45.7 cm, acrylic on canvas, 2026

The two-person exhibition “FACE to FACE” by artists Choi Myeong-jin and Lim Il-min takes its title from the phrase “to meet in person.” The title conveys the meanings of “to face each other” and “to meet face-to-face.” In this exhibition, the works of the two artists—who have transformed human figures—first “face” each other within the gallery space. Visitors, in turn, are invited to encounter the figures in the artworks, directly experience the inner messages conveyed by the artists, and take time to heal the wounds within their own hearts.

Lim Il-min, Woman in a Red Knit Sweater, 52.8 × 33.2 cm, Mixed media on cotton, 2026

This exhibition is a two-person show featuring Choi Myeong-jin and Lim Il-min, both exclusive artists at KIDARI GALLERY. They share the distinction of having been selected as the top artists at the 5th and 7th editions, respectively, of the “KIDARI GALLERY Emerging Artist Competition (Ddok.Ddok.Ddok),” an open call held by KIDARI GALLERY to discover emerging talent. Since then, as exclusive artists at KIDARI GALLERY, they have been actively exhibiting and participating in major domestic and international art fairs such as KIAF, the Hwarang Art Festival, Art Busan, and the Affordable Art Fair Singapore, garnering significant attention from art enthusiasts as emerging artists in their 20s.

Choi Myeong-jin, best hugger, 162.3 x 130.4 cm, acrylic on canvas, 2026

Artist Choi Myeong-jin has consistently pursued a body of work centered on the themes of comfort and healing within relationships. Through freely transformed human forms and a color palette dominated by achromatic and monochromatic tones, she captures the emotions of wounded individuals on canvas. While the bold straight lines and color palette in her works may at times appear cold and rough, the warm meaning and sensitivity embedded within them convey a profound sense of comfort and healing to viewers. Artist Choi Myeong-jin has recently expanded her artistic universe beyond the simple embrace of her signature “est Hugger” series to a new series exploring healing found in nature. She conveys that while the warm embraces of family, partners, and friends can heal the wounded hearts of modern people, the comfort received in the embrace of nature’s vastness also holds immense healing power. Instead of using a traditional brush, the artist employs her hands as tools, creating the surface of her figures by dabbing and spreading acrylic paint onto the canvas. This unique technique not only maximizes visual texture but also conveys the emotional warmth transmitted directly from her fingertips with even greater intensity.

Lim Il-min, Man in a Light Blue Shirt with a Red Tie, 57.2 × 38.2 cm, Mixed media on cotton, 2026

Artist Lim Il-min presents works that pour out the wounds of childhood and unexpressed emotions deeply rooted within him, transferring them onto the canvas. He portrays figures—imperfect beings shaped by negative or anxious emotions and feelings of deprivation—through his signature rough drawings, expressive facial expressions infused with emotion, and a harmonious blend of subtle colors. Through his work, the artist conveys the message that even though humans may live as imperfect beings for various reasons, the very existence of “I” alone makes everyone worthy of love. He suggests that works containing his personal story can connect with the lives of others, that suppressed inner emotions can meet those of others to form a bond of empathy, and that healing can occur within that communion. While many viewers note that his style resembles that of Egon Schiele, the artist demonstrates his originality through his own unique expressive techniques, using experimental works that infuse his sensibilities into the figures while drawing on Eastern materials.

This exhibition features 17 of the latest paintings by artists Choi Myeong-jin and Lim Il-min.

KIDARI GALLERY
3-5, Sinseo-ro 21-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu, 41067, South Korea
+82-70-7566-5995

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