Opera Gallery Singapore presents Shadow of a Pine Tree

Shadow of a Pine Tree A glimpse of Korean Contemporary Art

Shadow of a Pine Tree A glimpse of Korean Contemporary Art

Featuring

Lee Gil Rae Suh Jeong Min Bahk Seon-Ghi

Shadow of a Pine Tree A glimpse of Korean Contemporary Art

One of the Asian powerhouses for technology, fashion, music and pop culture, Korea has always been at the forefront of innovation. In recognition to this defining trend influencer of Asia, Opera Gallery Singapore is proud to present ‘Shadow of a Pine Tree’, an exhibition that illustrates the ingenuity and originality of Korean artists as they reshape the landscape of the contemporary Korean art scene.

A country known for both its technological innovation and cultural heritage, contemporary Korean art has also evolved in tandem as its artists challenge the boundaries of art exploration from composition to medium, method and representation. For this exhibition, we have selected the representative works from three renowned and celebrated Korean artists that reflect their quest for progress and development in art, artistry, technique and creativity as they seek reconciliation and balance between man and nature, history and modernity.

Lee Gil Rae derived his creative inspirations from his examination of man and nature. Through the use of copper piping, these humble minute elements are skilfully soldered into grand and graceful pine tress of steel and copper. Lee’s majestic metal pines proclaim with elegance the artist’s view on the inevitable and unavoidable devastation of nature by man in the name of progress and industrialisation.

From the lament of the loss of nature, its subtle beauty and versatility are demonstrated in the sublime wall sculptures of Suh Jeong Min. Harnessing the rich artistic culture of Korea, Suh’s intricate artworks are created with handmade paper from the Mulberry tree, using traditional techniques whilst reinterpreting and reintroducing this classic medium in a contemporary expression.

Nature is also the cradle of ideas, imagination and art for Bahk Seon-Ghi who expresses his philosophy of humanity and nature through his fascinating sculptures that seem to defy gravity. A sculptor and an installation artist, Bahk redefines the functionality and beauty of natural materials with his ethereal installations of suspended charcoal pieces levitating in space within their own surrealistic realm.

Join us on this journey of art and beauty as Korea bears its creative soul in art and leads us into its exciting universe of visual treasures and fascinating imagination.

Gilles Dyan Founder and Chairman Opera Gallery Group

Stéphane Le Pelletier Director Asia Pacific Opera Gallery Singapore

Education Graduated from Dept. of Art Education, Kyunghee Univ.

M. A. Dept. of Sculpture, Kyunghee Univ.

Solo Exhibitions 2015 The 9th Solo Exhibition, Gyumjaejungsun Museum, Seoul 2012 The 8th Solo Exhibition, Galerie BK, Seoul 2010 The 7th Solo Exhibition, Savina Museum, Seoul DR.

2008 The 6th Solo Exhibition, Savina Museum, Seoul 2007 The 5th Solo Exhibition, Art-space Camerata, Seoul Korean Contemporary Art Festival, Seoul Art Center, Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul

Lee

GIL RAE B. 1961

2003 The 4th Solo Exhibition, Galerie Bhak, Seoul

1997 The 2nd Solo Exhibition, Kum-Ho Museum, Seoul

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The man-made and constructed simulation of nature is apparent in all towns and cities. Nature is removed and confined to make room for the ever expanding population. In his persistent need to create organic forms, Lee Gil Rae takes it one step further in creating man-made nature. He constructs enormous forests of steel and copper, capturing this rapidly depleting resource for eternity.

His works construct a surreal leafless forest that one can meander, spiralling branches unnatural in structure but organic in aesthetic, draw the viewer to witness the intricate exterior that mimics the curves and notches of aged tree bark harmoniously. His sprawling branches fan out, tipped with wisps of copper representing the needles of the pine trees in true homage to Mother Nature.

Le Gil Rae has participated in several exhibitions in Korea, America and Japan and he features in numerous permanent collections.

2010 Unexpected, D-art Gallery, Daejeon Seoul Art Exhibition-Sculpture, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul International Art Taehwagang, Taehwa River, Ulsan International Sculpture Symposium Special Exhibition, Icheon City Museum, Icheon Republic of Korea, Seeking the future, Andong Cutural Arts Center, Andong Awards 2015 Korea Association of Art Critics Award 1995 Special Award in Jung-Ang Biennale 1990 Dong-A Art Award in the Dong-Art Festival 1989 Special Award in the 8th Great Art Exhibition of Korea 1988 Participation Award in the 11th Jung-Ang Greate Art Exhibition 1987 Special Award in the 5th Greate Art Exhibition of the youth

2001 The 3rd Solo Exhibition, Galerie Bhak, Seoul

1991 The 1st Solo Exhibition, Gallery Ye-Hyang, Seoul

Lee Gil Rae graduated from Kyunghee University after studying at the department of art education, before he passed his masters in sculpture. For twenty years, Lee Gil Rae has used nature as his muse to craft sculpture from steel and copper pipe.

With rapid deforestation, Lee Gil Rae’s trees narrate the artificial nature that city dwellers so closely identify with.

2011 The Moving Arts Village, Nampo Art Gallery, Goheung POMA 2011 Art Way Project, Pohang Museum of Art, Pohang Art Jungle, garden5 Rooftop Garden, Seoul Remember you, Hyundai Arts Center, Ulsan The Secret Forest, Dream Forest Arts Center, Seoul Daegu Art Fair Special Exhibition of Modern Sculpture Exco, Daegu The middle school art textbook, Gumsung publisher, Seoul

Group Exhibitions 2015 Art, Show, Space art1, Seoul 2015 Hong Kong Art Fair, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong Conversion of recognition, Seo-Ho Museum, Gyung-gi, Namyangju Art of Singapore city, Singapore Orchard Street, Singapore Art Night in Korea, Opera Gallery, Dubai Art Show Busan 2015, BEXCO, Busan Regeneration - Art Korean Contemporary, Opera Gallery, Paris 2014 2 Exhibition, Blue Square Ne mo Gallery, Seoul Gallery in Gaden, Incheon International Airport Millennium Hall, Inchen Korea Arts 7 Exhibition, Etroit Gallery, Mexico 2014 Jungsun International fire sculpture festival, Samtan Art mine, Kang one Knowledge of healing-Emptying and filling, Jeju Museum of Art, Jeju Metal works today, Kimjongyoung Museum, Seoul Architectural sculpture, Soma Museum, Seoul 2013 Jean François Larrieu & Lee Gil Rae, Opera Gallery, Seoul Elements of Nature, Opera Gallery, Singapore Jung gwang sik & Lee Gil Rae 2 Exhibition, Galeria Ethra, Mexico The high school art textbook, Gyohaksa, Seoul 2012 Pohang Steel Art Festival, Pohang Museum of Art, Pohang 2012 -Tasty Land, Yangpyeong Art Museum, Yangpyeong Metal Spirit, Gallery Grimson, Seoul Haïti Charity-Auction, Seoul Auction Gangnam, Seoul

Permanent Collections Kwachon National Museum of Contemporary Art Seoul Museum of Art Savina Museum of Contemporary Art Samsung Foundation of Culture CJ Foundation of Culture Daegu Health College Seoul Supreme Prosecutors Office Memorial Sculpture Anseong Memorial Sculpture Park Yeongdong Sculpture Park Jinhae Jangbok Mountain Park Outdoor Sculpture Bucheon dodang Park Seoul Hanjin Haemoro Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Office Building Seoul Mariott Hotel Gapyung Ecopia Daegu Banwoldan Moonkyung STX Resort Pohang Valueplus Nampo Art Museum Seoul Plaza Hotel Hanwha Galleria Forêt Pohang Museum of Art Mario Seoul

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Human-shaped Pine Tree, 2014 Copper welding 131 x 59 x 28 cm - 51.6 x 23.2 x 11 in.

A view from ‘Gyeomjae’, 2015 Copper welding 290 x 224 x 13 cm - 114.2 x 88.2 x 5.1 in.

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Human-shaped Pine Tree, 2015 Copper welding 200 x 80 x 73 cm - 78.7 x 31.5 x 28.7 in.

Old Pine Tree, 2015 Copper welding 212 x 170 x 20 cm - 83.5 x 66.9 x 7.9 in.

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Pine Tree, 2011 Copper welding 87 x 87 x 4 cm - 34.3 x 34.3 x 1.6 in.

Pine Tree, 2013 Copper welding 104 x 110 x 7 cm - 40.9 x 43.3 x 2.8 in.

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Pine Tree, 2016 Copper welding 84 x 115 x 24 cm - 33.1 x 45.3 x 9.4 in.

Pine Tree, 2013 Copper welding 204 x 115 x 59 cm - 80.3 x 45.3 x 23.2 in.

Education BFA, Department of Painting, College of Fine Arts, Chosun University MFA, Graduate School of Arts, Kyonggi University Solo Exhibitions 2012 Solo show JanKossen Contemporary, Basel NAGOYA International Design Gallery, Japan 2011 O’s Gallery Solo Exhibition, JeonJu O’s Gallery The 9th Solo Exhibition, Paper Museum, Seoul The 10th Solo Exhibition, J Gallery, Seoul 2010 The 9th Solo Exhibition In Sa Art Center, Seoul 2009 The 8th Solo Exhibition, KEPCO Plaza Art Museum The 7th Solo Exhibition, La Mer Gallery, Seoul

Suh

JEONG MIN B. 1962

2007 The 6th Drawing Solo Exhibition, Small-scale Works, Bokchon Gallery, Yeosu The 5th Solo Exhibition, Small-scale Works, Bokchon Gallery, Yeosu 2006 The 4th Solo Exhibition, Gallery Montmartre, Busan 2003 The 3rd Solo Exhibition, Jinnam Culture and Arts Center, Yeosu 2000 The 2nd Solo Exhibition, KEPCO Plaza Gallery, Seoul

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Born in Korea, Suh Jeong Min passed his BFA at Chosun University and his MFA at Kyonggi University. He is known for his use of hanji, or traditional Korean paper made from the inner bark of Mulberry trees, to create elegant and somewhat imposing works that are neither painting nor sculpture, yet have properties of both. His artwork employs the timeless structures of geometry while simultaneously pursuing an idiosyncratic aesthetic that combines cultural references with unusual formal techniques.

Suh uses hanji originally used for calligraphy, tightly rolled into tubes or overlaid so that they resemble thin blocks of wood, and cut into small pieces by hand to finally be affixed to the support with a rice-based glue. Arranged in concentric circles, in rows, or set on top of each other like stacks of lumber, these paper units have a dense bodily presence. Cut horizontally, vertically or diagonally, they produce light and shade on canvas as existing calligraphic letters form black lines on the surface.

The artist said his works are the result of coincidence and inevitability. ’Instead of drawing my own lines with meok (ink), I find the lines from what others already wrote’. What appears to be a severance from Asian painting in Suh’s work is instead a continuity of the practice in a new guise. As a craft unique to Korea, hanji is considered integral to the culture. Suh’s use of the traditional material can be seen as an acknowledgment of this craft, while showing how an aspect of culture long superseded by technological changes can be transformed from the commonplace to the exceptional through an artist’s innovative methods.

1999 The 1st Solo Exhibition, Inje Art Museum, Gwangju Art Museum, Goyang 2011 Good morning 2011, La Mer Gallery, Seoul 2010 Korea Modern Artist Exhibition / Gallery Dimaca, Venezuela 2 East Meets West, Los Angeles 2009 International Contemporary Art Gwangju Artvision,1st and 2nd exhibition hall of Gwangju biennale, Gwangju The Nature of Korea Spring. Summer. Fall. Winter Exhibition Seoul Art Gong pyeong Gallery Invitation Exhibition Seong nam Arts Festival Gyeonggi Folk Artist Invitation Exhibition The Four Seasons of Gyeonggi Master’s Thesis A Study on Oil Painting Pigments

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Korea House Roof - 13, 2015 Hanji paper 80 x 150 cm - 31.5x 59.1 in.

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Line of Travel - 64, 2016 Hanji paper 162 x 132 cm - 63.8 x 52 in.

Mandala, 2015 Hanji paper 140 x 140 cm - 55.1 x 55.1 in.

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Tao 7, 2016 Hanji paper 110 x 110 cm - 43.3 x 43.3 in.

Festival 14-10, 2014 Hanji paper 110 x 110 cm - 43.3 x 43.3 in.

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Lines of Travel - 42, 2015 Hanji paper 182 x 150 cm - 71.7 x 59.1 in

Tao - 9, 2016 Hanji paper 110 x 110 cm - 43.3 x 43.3 in.

Education Studies of Majoring Sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti Brera, Milan Graduated from Chung-Ang University, Majoring Sculpture in the Fine Arts Departement, Seoul Solo Exhibitions 2015 Solo Exhibition, CMay Gallery, Los Angeles SeonGhi BAHK, Chung Hak Dae Museum of Contemporary Art, Anseong Gallery U.C.A.I, Milan Gallery Luigi di Sarro, Rome DR.

2014 Point of view - illusion, Gallery Ihn, Seoul Fiction of the Fabricated Image, Zadok Gallery, Miami 2012 A Slice of Sensitivity, Gallery Artside, Seoul

Bahk

SEON-GHI B. 1966

2009 Seon Ghi Bahk Solo Exhibition, Gallery IHN, Seoul Gallery Bundo, Daegu 2008 Gallery Sabina, Los Angeles Seonghi Bahk Solo Exhibition, Kim Chong Yung Sculpture Museum, Seoul 2007 Optic Game, Gallery Artside, Beijing Existence, Arquitectos de Cordova, Cordova 2006 Galeria Arte Contemporanea Jorge Shirley, Lisbon

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Bahk Seon-Ghi is an internationally reputed and established contemporary Korean sculptor and installation artist who lives and works in Kyeong Ki-Do, South Korea. Following his graduation from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, he spent several years in Europe, studying sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti Brera in Milan and at Barnet and Southgate College in London.

Bahk is known for his ethereal installations using natural to create everyday objects such as tables, staircases, frames and circles, which appear to float through light and space. His floating charcoal works accumulate into forms that we perceive as familiar objects, delicately suspended on the edge of existence and obliteration. It questions how the object takes form through our own filters of perspective and memory.

Charcoal, his favorite material, is fundamental in his works with charcoal being the natural substance that holds traditional importance in Korean culture and heritage. Through these delicately suspended pieces of charcoal, Bahk Seon-Ghi presents the viewers with a new perspective of human’s relationship with nature. Bahk received the 2009 Kim Chong Yung Sculpture Award and has participated in solo exhibitions in Miami, Korea, Switzerland, Spain and China, to name just a few. His works are part of many prominent permanent collections worldwide.

2005 Artist of Today, Kim Chong Yung Sculpture Museum, Seoul 2004 Gana Insa Art Center, Seoul Art Seoul, Hangaram Museum in Seoul Arts Center, Seoul Galeria EDURNE, Madrid Galeria Arte Contemporanea Jorge Shirley, Lisbon 2002 Galerie Artinprogress, Berlin Rethinking: space time architecture - A dialogue between art and architecture, Parallel to XXI World Congress of Architecture, UIA Berlin 2002 2001 Galleria Lawrence Rubin, Milan Group Exhibitions 2013 Irony and Illusion, Interalia, Seoul In-Sein, Gallery BK 2011 In 脈, Gallery jireh, pajusi heyri The ARTIST BRAND, GAMO Gallery , Seoul Object of everyday life, Pohang Museum of Steel Art, Pohang C.Eye 脈, You-ju international ceramic museum, Korea ceramic foundation, Yoe-ju Salon de living art - Seoul living design fair, COEX, Seoul Studio part1, FN art space, Seoul

Fund raising exhibition for sever earthquake disaster of Japan, Yes, I believe the hope!, Basel Scope 11, Gallery Krampf, Basel Art stage Singapore, Marina bay sands exhibition center, Singapore Beyond limits, Shinsegae Gallery, Busan International sculpture Festa 2011 IN SEOUL, Seoul art center hangaram museum,Seoul Cliopatra Clio Box - CLIO Cosmetic Art 2011, Insa art center, Seoul The Earth in Blossom - 41th Earth day anniversary, Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwang-ju Oksun Gallery opening exhibition, artist _ Drop by Seohyen, Oksun Gallery, Sung nam 2010 My Room my Atelier, Gana art center, Seoul Arcades project, Interalia art company, Seoul Orbis interfashion - Incountro tra lusso e arte, Cais gallery, Seoul Basel Scope 10, Gallery Krampf, Basel Korea Tommorow, CETEC, Ilsan Close Encounter , Jeju Museum of Art , Jeju Close Encounter, Jeju Museum of art, Jeju My room our atelier , Gana Art Gallery, Seoul G20 Seoul Summit celebration Exhibition - for the korean Fine Arts, The national assembly library, Seoul Sulhwasoo - sulaim,kong gallery, Seoul 2010 Seoul Art FairAIR, Gallery IHN, Gallery BUNDO, Bexco, Busan 2010 seoul design festival - Designers Lab, Coex, Seoul Art Dubai, SUN Contemporary, Lee Hwaik Gallery, Madinat Jumeirah Istanbul art fair - Scope, Krampf Gallery, Istanbul G20 Seoul Summit celebration Exhibition - for the korean Fine Arts, shuim Museum, Seoul KIAF 2010, Gallery Qualia, COEX, Seoul The Shape of Time; From Micropolis to Metropolis 2010 Yeosu International Art Festival, Jinnam Art and Culture Center , Yeosu The seoul art exhibition - Korea contemporary sculpture, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul MACO 10, Mexican International Contemporary Art Fair, Cetro Banamex, Mexicocity Art of illusion, Dae jeon Museum of Art, Daejeon 2009 Korean Eye Moon Generation, Saatchi Gallery, London Awards 2016 9th Kim Jong Young Sculpture Prize

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An Aggregate 201103, 2011 Charcoal, nylone threads, stone and mixed materials 270 x 60 x 60 cm - 106.3 x 23.6 x 23.6 in.

An Aggregate 10-05, 2010 Charcoal, nylone threads, stone and mixed materials 270 x 70 x 70 cm - 106.3 x 27.6 x 27.6 in.

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Point of View 121212, 2012 Urethane paint on resin, edition of 6 141 x 57 x 31 cm - 55.5 x 22.4 x 12.2 in.

Slice of Sensitivity 120513, 2012 Urethane paint on resin, edition of 6 140 x 115 x 80 cm - 55.1 x 45.3 x 31.5 in.

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An Aggregation 201301, 2013 Charcoal, nylone threads, stone and mixed materials 300 x 100 x 100 cm - 118.1 x 39.4 x 39.4 in.

Shadow of a Pine Tree A glimpse of Korean Contemporary Art

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