Art Sonje Center Presents ‘Ha Chong-Hyun 5975’, Explorations of Materiality and Methodology
ByLiyana SafariHa Chong-Hyun, Naissance-B, 1967, oil and collage on canvas, 145.5 x 193.9 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.
Art Sonje Center presents Ha Chong-Hyun 5975, an exhibition dedicated to the early works of Korean artist Ha Chong-Hyun, spanning the years 1959 to 1975.
Running from February 14 to April 20, this exhibition investigates how Ha’s materials and techniques evolved in dynamic interaction with the socio-historical context of South Korea. As one of the leading figures of the Korean monochrome painting (Dansaekhwa) movement, Ha's innovative approaches have significantly contributed to contemporary discussions surrounding materiality and abstraction in art.
Ha Chong-Hyun, Self portrait, 1959, oil on canvas, 63 x 40 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.
Ha Chong-Hyun, Untitled B, 1965, oil and collage on canvas, 145.5 x 112 cm. Courtesy of National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.
Ha's early works reflect the artist’s response to the upheavals of Korean modern history, including the Korean War, rapid industrialization, and urbanization – reimagining social realities and his personal experiences. Rather than adhering to a single methodology, Ha continuously transformed his approach in an effort to transcend the boundaries of two-dimensional painting, responding to the shifting times he experienced and expanding his experiments with diverse materials and their qualities.
Ha Chong-Hyun, Conjunction 74-17, 1974, oil on hemp cloth, 80 x 100 cm. Courtesy of Kukje Gallery.
Ha Chong-Hyun, Counter-Phase, 1971(reproduced in 2012), newspaper, paper, 91.5 x 111.5 x 80 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.
Ha Chong-Hyun, Conjunction, 1974, oil on paper, 120 x 172 cm. Courtesy of Leeum Museum of Art.
Ha Chong-Hyun, Work 73, 1973, barbed wire on panel, 60 x 60 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.
This exhibition showcases the enduring vitality of Ha’s experimental spirit, evident in his reflections on vanishing traditions and the development of a new aesthetic language through everyday materials. By engaging with the historical messages and material explorations embedded in Ha’s work, visitors will uncover the imprints of time and the stories woven into the materials he has left behind.
Where: Space 1 & 2, Art Sonje Center
When: February 14 – April 20, 2025 (closed Mondays)
Admission: View Full Admission Details here
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