Installation view of 《Neo-naturalism》 © Ilwoo Space 

Naturalism is a mode of thought that influenced literature, philosophy, and the arts in the late nineteenth century, centering on the French novelist Émile Zola. It advocates observing nature and reality as they are and accepting them objectively. By breaking away from the embellished and exaggerated conventions of earlier art, Naturalism became the foundation of realist art, which depicted ordinary people and natural forms with factual accuracy, and in turn contributed to the emergence of French Impressionism.

This exhibition presents works by five artists who depict nature from the perspective of twenty-first-century Neo-naturalism. Contemporary artists capture objective nature through more experimental approaches and distinctive viewpoints. Kang In-gu creates sculptures through immense handcraft labor using humble materials such as stones and toothpicks found in everyday life.

The monumental forms composed of small natural units inspire admiration for human imagination and creativity. Kim Chun-hwan produces works using the abundance of discarded advertising prints that fill modern daily life. Crumpled and transformed by the artist and fixed onto panels, these materials generate dense and complex surfaces and new images, satirically reflecting the image saturation and absurdity of contemporary society.


Kibong Rhee, Matters of Void, 2014 © Kibong Rhee

Kibong Rhee, recognized as a leading mid-career artist in Korea, creates works that combine delicate lyricism with a distinctive conceptual dimension. Natural elements such as water, mist, and trees are transformed into landscapes that are at once realistic and abstract, enveloped in a dreamlike atmosphere and inviting viewers to experience a renewed sense of natural beauty. 

References