PRINTCatalogue Note:
CONTEMPORARY FIGURATIVE ART IN JAPAN AND KOREA
In recent years, Japanese and Korean contemporary artists have become increasingly popular among international collectors; their works are often auctioned off at record prices. Evolved through different paths, the artistic forms and styles of Japanese and Korean contemporary art are distinct from that of any other region in Asia. Japanese and Korean artists infuse local cultures and subcultures into their work, creating unique expressions in art. Other than the renowned artists, there are also plenty of emerging stars making their way to the international stage.
One of the most highly acclaimed Japanese artists in contemporary art would be Yayoi Kusama. Influenced by Japanese traditional art such as Ukiyo-e, her paintings and sculptures, including the famous pumpkin pieces, are iconic. Another distinguished artist is Yoshitomo Nara, who is famous for his cartoonish and satire paintings. His works often involve seemingly innocent children and unsettling, horror-like imagery. Wood sculptor Ikki Miyake is known for his renditions of women body forms. His YOGA series that consist of serene and peaceful figures are often considered representative of oriental aesthetics. Kohei Nawa, whose works are collected by art institutions around the world, is a widely discussed contemporary sculptor. He explores the possibilities between skin and cells, creating semi-organic sculptures that are imaginative yet realistic.
Figurative art in Korea has come a long way towards maturity. Artists often incorporate expressive themes and diverse media in their pieces. Drawing inspiration from the white porcelain “Moon Jar” of the Joseon dynasty, the artist Choi Young Wook does not intend to produce a photorealistic representation. Rather, the artist attempts to create a shared memory amongst viewers through an image that is familiar to them. Using simplistic lines, Rhee Da’s works embody the pop art and reveals a sense of simplicity . The sardonicism of pop art is evident in Rhee Da’s paintings as well. Female artists Kim Sun-Hee and Kim Ye-Jin both adopt mixed media to instill textures into their art. The method does not only examine the relationship between threedimensional media and two-dimensional paintings, but also explores the artist's’ interactions with their inner selves.
In recent years, Japanese and Korean contemporary artists have become increasingly popular among international collectors; their works are often auctioned off at record prices. Evolved through different paths, the artistic forms and styles of Japanese and Korean contemporary art are distinct from that of any other region in Asia. Japanese and Korean artists infuse local cultures and subcultures into their work, creating unique expressions in art. Other than the renowned artists, there are also plenty of emerging stars making their way to the international stage.
One of the most highly acclaimed Japanese artists in contemporary art would be Yayoi Kusama. Influenced by Japanese traditional art such as Ukiyo-e, her paintings and sculptures, including the famous pumpkin pieces, are iconic. Another distinguished artist is Yoshitomo Nara, who is famous for his cartoonish and satire paintings. His works often involve seemingly innocent children and unsettling, horror-like imagery. Wood sculptor Ikki Miyake is known for his renditions of women body forms. His YOGA series that consist of serene and peaceful figures are often considered representative of oriental aesthetics. Kohei Nawa, whose works are collected by art institutions around the world, is a widely discussed contemporary sculptor. He explores the possibilities between skin and cells, creating semi-organic sculptures that are imaginative yet realistic.
Figurative art in Korea has come a long way towards maturity. Artists often incorporate expressive themes and diverse media in their pieces. Drawing inspiration from the white porcelain “Moon Jar” of the Joseon dynasty, the artist Choi Young Wook does not intend to produce a photorealistic representation. Rather, the artist attempts to create a shared memory amongst viewers through an image that is familiar to them. Using simplistic lines, Rhee Da’s works embody the pop art and reveals a sense of simplicity . The sardonicism of pop art is evident in Rhee Da’s paintings as well. Female artists Kim Sun-Hee and Kim Ye-Jin both adopt mixed media to instill textures into their art. The method does not only examine the relationship between threedimensional media and two-dimensional paintings, but also explores the artist's’ interactions with their inner selves.