Hyeon O

바라본 얼굴, 2024, mixed media, 130 x 194cm

The exhibition by artist Hyeon O will be held at Gallery Imazoo for about three weeks from August 6 to 29. The title “Black Frost” refers to a frost that forms black on the surface of plant leaves in extremely dry and cold weather. In life, everyone faces a moment of “black frost” at least once. It is when we find ourselves in the depths of despair, feeling as though we are crumbling into black dust, that we finally turn inward. Confronting the raw “self” in that darkness, the artist captures and displays wandering and decayed memories and images within the frame, assembling them into a snowman. These can be seen as collective aggregates of various memories. The large eyes in numerous faces question us, scold us, or offer comfort. Through this exhibition, the artist hopes that those encountering their “black frost” will find their “own happiness” through self-reflection and muster the courage to break through the boundary of frost to welcome a new spring. Only those who break through that boundary will realize that spring has always been by their side.

Snoeman, 2024, Ink on paper, 80.3 x 100cm

Everyone has their own narrative. Each story, like falling snow, steadily accumulates layer by layer over the years. The burdensome, incessantly falling snow sometimes creates shapes or melts away as if it never existed. When one is so exhausted by constant stimuli that they no longer wish to see even the hand extended by a loved one, they must inevitably confront their own solitude and loneliness. The youthful body, which has endured through neither too young nor too old a time, sometimes longs for light while finding solace in the darkness. When such emotions engulf and tighten around us, what strength can we muster to endure? To actively and proactively enjoy life in a world of relentless external stimuli, we must face ourselves without reservation. If the self we confront is dissolving like a faint mist, we must create a small snowball within that space. This snowball will grow as it rolls, filling us, becoming our ally, and making our present life more secure and steadfast. Is your snowman well?

-Hyeon O artist note.

Gallery Imazoo
Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Teheran-ro 20-gil,12, B1
+82 02 557 1950

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