Korean contemporary art has an important role in today’s international art circuit, including places like New York and London. Meekyoung Shin (Shin Meekyoung), who showcased her work in two important shows last year, Leeum’s “Memories of the Future” and Saatchi Gallery’s “Korean Eye: Fantastic Ordinary,” is now holding her first solo exhibit in London. Meanwhile, the Korean Art Show 2011 organized by the Korean Galleries Association has returned to New York and been the object of significant attention during the first week of March.
Meekyoung Shin at Haunch of Venison (Address: 6 Burlington Gardens, London W1S 3ET)
Starting from February 16, the London branch of Haunch of Venison is hosting a solo exhibition by one of the best-known Korean artists showing internationally, Meekyoung Shin. The show will run through April 2.
The show concentrates on Shin’s iconic reinterpretation of Eastern and Western historic relics, ranging from traditional vases to classical statues. Shin introduces a number of thought-provoking elements, including works from her Translation and Ghost series, where soap was used as the medium, conveying a particularly fragile and evanescent message.
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Meekyoung Shin, installation view â“’ Meekyoung Shin 2011, Courtesy Haunch of Venison
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After obtaining her BA and MA in Fine Arts from Seoul National University, Shin moved to London to study at Slade School of Fine Art at University College London. Her life there gave her new artistic insight and inspiration as she was drawn into the notion of “cultural translation” and moved her to create a process “undertaken by objects representing a particular culture, mostly historical relics, which have been subject to a shift in location.”
Shin has been featured in solo and group exhibitions worldwide, and was invited to collaborate on numerous projects, including those with the British Museum in 2004 and 2007. The exhibition at Haunch of Venison will provide visitors an embellished experience that distills the artist’s insights on the “cultural translation” process.
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Meekyoung Shin, installation view â“’ Meekyoung Shin 2011, Courtesy Haunch of Venison
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Established in 2002, Haunch of Venison currently has galleries in London, Berlin and New York, and has worked with some of today’s most influential artists, including Richard Long and Bill Viola. Admission is free, and the gallery is open Monday through Saturday. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.haunchofvenison.com (English).
Korean Art Show 2011 (Address: 82 Mercer street, New York)
Every March, the city of New York is home to a must-attend annual showcase for artists, art professionals and enthusiasts from all over the world. Some of America’s leading art fairs devoted to contemporary art, including the Armory Show, Pulse, Volta and Scope, along with numerous other events, are held throughout New York City. The Korean Art Show 2011 is also being held in the SoHo district from March 3 to 6, in conjunction with New York’s Art Fair week.
This year, the Galleries Association of Korea has partnered with Red Dot to host the Korean Art Show with the aim of helping the galleries expand their reach and increase Korean artists’ presence in the global art scene. Dozens of Korean galleries that have been at the forefront of presenting Korean contemporary art, including Gana Art, Gallery Hyundai, Pyo Gallery, Hakgojae, Lee Hwaik Gallery and Park Ryu Sook Gallery, are participating in the annual event.
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Participants enjoying last year’s Korean Art Show â“’ Galleries Association of Korea. All rights reserved.
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The Korean Art Show 2011 is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Cultural Service in New York. The show features a dedicated section highlighting its well-known sister, the Korea International Art Fair, which is scheduled to take place this year from September 22 to 26. For more information, please visit the official website at: (English).
Meanwhile, the Korean Cultural Service in New York will host a special exhibition dedicated to the Korean Art Show 2011 from March 9 to 19. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will take place at Gallery Korea. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.koreanculture.org (Korean and English).
By Hwang Dana
Korea.net Staff Writer
