Installation view of 《The Statue Knows How to Dance》 (Gallery SP, 2021) ©Gallery SP

The solo exhibition 《The Statue Knows How to Dance》 by rising sculptor Rhee Donghoon, known for his distinctive and sensuous approach to sculpture, was held at Gallery SP from July 8 (Thu) to July 31 (Sat). Marking the artist’s second solo show, the exhibition presented approximately twelve works including both sculptures and paintings.

Rhee Donghoon sculpts forms by responding to the inherent material qualities of wood, and based on these sculptures, he creates paintings on canvas. His practice integrates a first phase of observation and representation with a second phase of reconfiguration and reenactment—offering a dual-layered artistic process.

This exhibition particularly focused on figurative sculptures that depict K-pop idols mid-dance. The title, ‘The Statue Knows How to Dance’, is borrowed from a fan comment on a dance video, praising an idol’s beauty as “statue-like”—a remark that inspired the artist to create sculptures that quite literally appear to be dancing.

Rhee Donghoon, Black Mamba, 2021, Acrylic on Korean pine, 65x35x37cm ©Rhee Donghoon

Each piece is titled after the name of a specific K-pop song. Rhee selected individual members from idol groups as models for his sculptures—not out of preference, but because their choreography and costumes best suited his artistic intentions. For the accompanying paintings, he placed the sculptures on a rotating turntable, photographed them in panorama, and used the resulting images as reference. These works are not simple representations of three-dimensional form, but rather, attempts to translate the color and texture of sculpture into two-dimensional surface.

Among the highlights is the new work Not Shy, which—alongside the rest of the exhibition—showcases more vivid and diverse color palettes than in Rhee’s previous works. Infused with movement and color, his artworks energize the exhibition space and offer viewers a sense of playfulness and delight.

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