For immediate release 2010/04/20

GOLD EXPERIENCE
Contemporary Painting with Gold Leaf from Japan and Korea
Venue:

Hyun Gallery (Seoul = http://www.hyungallery.com/)

Date:

May 20 – June 6, 2009
Opening Reception: May 20 (Thu) from 6pm.
- Artists' Talk
- Workshop scheduled on 5/21 and 5/22 (“How to create a gold leaf painting”)

Support: Nomura Foundation

Introduction
Hyun Gallery (Seoul) and HRD Fine Art (Kyoto) are delighted to announce a group exhibition titled “GoldExperience,” which features six artists from Japan and Korea who have among them one thing in common –that is, the use of gold leaf in their paintings.
In art history both in the West and the East, the use of gold leaf in painting has a long and rich tradition. Forexample, Christian icons painted with tempera and mosaic murals in Europe; screens and lacquer paintings
in East Asia. Though having seen separate development and evolution in terms of religious, metaphoricaland aesthetical meaning and function, as well as technical and methodical difference, there have been
several crossovers in the course of history, such as Christian evangelists taking their glittering holy icons toAsian countries to impress the populace, and in turn, in 19th century, Japonisme boom in Europe saw a lotof artworks imported from Japan including gold-grounded screens and sliding-door paintings.
Though regarded by many as merely functioning as painting’s background, the use of gold leaf has been
assigned with far more important roles both in the West and the East; to awe the viewer with religious
sublimity; to exhibit imposing power and wealth of the owner of the painting; or to present infinite depth in
the two-dimensional picture space.
In this exhibition “Gold Experience,” we will present the works of artists from Japan and Korea, who not
only study and exercise traditional techniques and method of applying gold leaf, but also try to digest its
historical values and meanings and to integrate them into their own creation. Through their works, withwide variety in style and subject, we would like to cast refreshing light on the aspect of material andmedium in contemporary painting, and to give the audience a good opportunity to question the notion of“new” painting in the 21st century, as well as to ponder over the messages, thoughts and ideals with whichgold leaf has long been associated.

For more information please contact HRD FINE ART:
Postal Address: 494-1 Kamigoryo-tatemachi, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0896 Japan
http://www.hrdfineart.com! /info@hrdfineart.com

Artists
Ryoko Kimura
1971

Born in Kyoto

1997

MFA in mural painting, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo

Selected Solo Exhibitions
1997

Moris Gallery, Tokyo

2002

Span Art Gallery, Tokyo

2003“The Women Top Age” Vanilla Gallery, Tokyo

2004“Stained Glass Roman” Sogo Department Store Gallery, Kobe / four other venues

2005“Beauty of My Dish” Span Art Gallery, Tokyo

2007!08“Prince Come True” Gallery ES, Tokyo / The Butchart International Contemporary Art Space,Taipei

2009“Born to be WILD” Mizuma and One Gallery, Beijing / The Butchart International Contemporary
Art Space, Taipei

Selected Group Exhibitions
2002!

“1st Stained Glass Exhibition” Matsuzakaya Museum, Nagoya

2003“Art and Generations” Span Art Gallery, Tokyo

2004“Glass Creators from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts” The University Art Museum,
Tokyo

2005!

“Seiu Ito and the Genealogy” Vanilla Gallery, Tokyo

2006!

“Exhibition of Three Artists” Gallery Kabutoya, Tokyo

2006!

“eyes & curiosity” Mizuma Action, Tokyo2007“Male Beauty” Gallery Tomo, Tokyo2009“2nd Art Auction Show” COEX, Seoul

2010“The 6th Chinese Character Festival: Making Waves Contemporary Art Exhibition” NationalChiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei

Prize / Award
2002!

Honorable Mention in the category for professionals, the 1st Stained Glass Exhibition******
Ryoko Kimura creates her works using traditional technique for Japanese painting like Byobu-e screen
painting; but she deals with up-to-date worldly subject matters such as people’s raw and curious desire
towards celebrity and sexual taboos in the society, peculiarly from a woman’s viewpoint with a tone oflight-hearted satire.

Chion Lee
1978

Born in Seoul

2002

BFA, Seoul Women’s University, Seoul

2003

Studies at Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing

2007

MFA, Seoul Women’s University, Seoul

Lives and works in Seoul
Solo Exhibition
2006

Barhom Gallery at Seoul Women’s University, Seoul

Selected Solo Exhibitions
2002“New Frontier” Gongpyeong Art Center, Seoul“Young Artist Exhibition” Seoul Arts Center, Seoul

2004“Handicap” Artlink Gallery

2005“Cogito” Gallery OM, Seoul“Korean-American Artist Group Exhibition” Chetenham Art Center, Philadelphia

2006“Are We Different?” Dongduk Art Space, Seoul

2007“Dream of Midday” Shinsegae Department Store Gallery, Seoul

2008“Wall and Bridge” Sempio Art Space, Icheon, Korea“ASYAAF - When we first met” Old Seoul Station Building, Seoul“Cogito” Gallery La Mer, Seoul

2009“Cogito” Gallery Gwang, Seoul

Collection
Seoul Women’s University, Seoul******
Having studied oriental painting and the use of gold (and silver) leaf, Chion Lee mixes them with Westernmaterials such as canvas and acrylic paint to bring forth abstract but expressive works, freeing herself fromrigid tradition.

Hyunjoo Park
1968

Born in Seoul

1991

BFA in painting, Seoul National University, Seoul

1993

MFA in studio painting, New York University, New York2002

PhD in Art, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo

Lives and works in Seoul
Selected Solo Exhibitions
1993

80 Washington Square Gallery, New York

1994

Gallery Icon, Seoul

1998

Gallery Kobayashi, Tokyo (also in 2001)

1999

Keumsan Gallery, Seoul

2002

DNA-Die Neue Aktionsgalerie, Berlin
Gallery Kaze, Osaka (also in 2004)

2003

Gallery In, Seoul

2005

Creclooart Gallery, Philadelphia

2006

SADI Window Gallery, Seoul

2008

Sun Contemporary, Seoul

2009“Diagram of Light” VIT Gallery, Seoul

Selected Group Exhibitions
2003“Dancing Color” Gallery Sang, Seoul“SQUARE” Keumsan Gallery, Seoul“Exploration of Light and Color” Seoul Arts Center, Seoul“Sense and Sensitivity” Busan Metropolitan Museum, Busan

2004“Joy of Contemplation” Sun Gallery, Seoul“Over the Rainbow” Space C, Seoul

2005“Beyond Artifice” Chiwoo Metal Museum, Seoul“Art Camp in India” Mumbai

2006“Korean Contemporary Artists 5” Galley Kong, Seoul

2007“Infuse” Gallery Velvet, Seoul

2008“Up to the Minute” Korea Art Center, Busan

2009“Cultural Diversity in Korean Contemporary Art” Sophia Art Gallery, Seoul“Sensitivity and Abstraction” Cyart Gallery, Seoul

Collection
Tokyo University of the Arts,
Daerim Museum, Seoul******
Hyunjoo Park’s interest and study in gold-ground tempera paintings have led to creation of a body of her
own work – paintings and sculptural paintings. Park’s works are marked with repetition of geometricalforms and rich colors, which mirror the artist’s devotion to light and its spirituality, seized within theglittering and reflective golden surface.

Noriyori Shirakawa
1969

Born in Tokyo1993

BFA in oil painting, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo

1995

MFA, Tokyo University of the Arts, TokyoLives and works in Aichi
Selected Solo Exhibitions
1996

Ginza Surugadai Gallery, Tokyo

1997

Ginza Seigetsudo Gallery, Tokyo (also in 1998)2004

Garando Gallery, Nagoya

2006

Ginza Goraku Gallery, Tokyo

Selected Group Exhibitions
1995

Ginza Seigetsudo Gallery, Tokyo

1997

Shinjuku Zenrosai Hall Gallery Space Zero, Tokyo

2001“ART FORM OF JAPAN” The Suan Dusit Art Gallery, Bangkok

2002

Hasegawa Kukansozo Company, Tokyo“New Traditonal Art” Silpakorn University Art Center, Bangkok
Garando Gallery, Nagoya

2003“Aoi-no-kai” Ginza Surugadai Gallery, Tokyo (also in 2004, 05, 06, 07, 08 and 09)“FIELD OF NOW”Ginza Yokyo Art Hall, Tokyo

2005“TEN by Ten 10"10 / Small Universe” Gallery Alpha, Nagoya

2006“CONNECT [Impression on Paper]” Silpakorn University Art Center, Bangkok

2009“Octave” Garando Gallery, Nagoya

Collection
Embassy of Peru in Japan, Tokyo******Noriyori Shirakawa is a researcher on painting materials such as gold-ground tempera, while he also
creates his own paintings, symbolically associating ‘light’ and ‘memory’ with his breathtakingly exquisite
skills based on his studies and knowledge of painting material, sometimes with images taken from ancientstories and myths.

Jungduk Song1961

Born in Daegu

1985

MFA in Western painting, Hongik University

2003

Guest researcher in oil painting department, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo

2009

Guest researcher in oil painting preservation and restoration department, Tokyo University of theArts

Lives and works in Daegu
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2004

Aoki Gallery, Tokyo

2006“MANIF 12!” Seoul Arts Center, Seoul“ORIGIN” Seoul Arts Center, Seoul

2007

Kinrin Gallery, Tokyo (also in 2009)

Selected Group Exhibitions
2002“ABSENCE” Gallery Korea, New York2004“Inside of the Surface” The University Art Museum, Tokyo / Daegu Citizen’s Hall, Daegu (alsoin 2005, 06 and 07)“Gwanghwamoon International Art Festival” Sejong Center, Seoul (also in 2005, 06, 07 and 09)

2005“Art and Mathematics” Sabina Museum, Seoul

2007“How to See a Painting” Sanina Museum, Seoul

2007“Gan” Aoki Gallery, Tokyo******
Jungduk Song is a specialist in gold-ground tempera painting. His paintings, however, are clearly norepeat nor trace of old-age artworks; Song’s works are unique with its contemporary allegory andsymbolism, not unlike 20th century surrealist paintings, coalescing with the technique and materials whichdate back to the Middle Age Europe.

Masako Yasuki
1970

Born in Osaka

1994

MFA in Art, Kyoto Seika University, Kyoto

2001

Artist-in-Residence at Edinburgh College of Art through the Artist Exchange "ART-EX" by Osaka
Prefectural Government

2004

Guest Artist at Amherst College, Massachusetts

Lives and works in Kyoto
Selected Solo Exhibitions
1993

galerie 16, Kyoto (also in 1995, 97, 98, 99, 2005, 09)2000"real/time" Galerie Ando, Tokyo

2001"the presence between things" Gallery Te, Tokyo (also in 2005 and 06)
Sculpture Court Gallery at Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, UK

2002"Edinburgh Project" Osaka Contemporary Art Center

2003

Base Gallery, Tokyo

2006

Cubic Gallery, Osaka

Selected Group Exhibitions
1991"Kyoto Independent Exhibition" Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto"tabla rasa" Kyoto Shijo Gallery, Kyoto

199"International Liaison Exhibition" International Community Center, Kyoto

1995"field book - drawings" Gallery Jiyu-kuukan, Osaka

1996"Painting - being makes ripples" galerie 16, Kyoto

1997"The Future of Painting '97" Osaka Contemporary Art Center, Osaka

1998"'98 Selected Exhibition" Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto"The Future of Paintings '98" Osaka Contemporary Art Center, Osaka"Trembling State" Osaka Contemporary Art Center, Osaka / Roxyside Museum, Hiroshima /Kobe Art Village Center, Kobe

1999

"The Vision of Contemporary Art Japan" The Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo

2000"2000 Selected Exhibition" Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto"INCUBATION 00" Kyoto Art Center, Kyoto

2001"Selected Exhibition", The Museum of Kyoto, Kyoto

2002"The Vision of Contemporary Art Japan" The Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo

2004“FLAT-PLAT - Far West near East” Kanagawa Kenmin Hall Gallery, Yokohama / CASO
Contemporary Art Space Osaka, Osaka

2005“City-net Asia 2005” Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul

2008“from sublime to uncanny” CASO Contemporary Art Space Osaka, Osaka“Out of Sight, Still in Mind” Gallery Hangil, Paju******
Masako Yasuki’s paintings are based on existing landscape. She meticulously puts together various
materials and mediums from the East and the West, including, most recently, gold leaf. Her long andpainstaking work results in a thick painting surface, exhibiting the artist’s interest or obsession inaccumulation of time and abstraction of memories.

Artworks(some works shown here will not be exhibited)

Jungduk Song “Space for Reminiscence”
tempera, gold leaf on panel
16.2"20.7cm

Hyunjoo Park “MA-UM”
gesso, acrylic, gold leaf on panel
60"60cm! 2009

Jungduk Song “Space for Reminiscence”
tempera, gold leaf on panel
19"22.5cm

Hyunjoo Park “MA-UM”
gesso, acrylic, gold leaf on panel
60"60cm! 2009

Noriyori Shirakawa “V - C - Light – 2010”
chalk, silver leaf, tempera, oil on canvas
100"80.3cm! 2010

Masako Yasuki “exposed scape – a childhood tree”
glue, pigment, Paris white, gold leaf on wooden panel, hemp clothand Bolognese chalk68"90cm! 2010

Masako Yasuki “exposed scape – a collective memory”
glue, pigment, Paris white, gold leaf on wooden panel, hemp cloth and Bolognese chalk100"140cm! 2010

Ryoko Kimura “Dessert / A man's body dish for L'opera gateau au chocolat”
Japanese pigment, gold leaf on paper (standing screen)
120"97cm! 2005

Chion Lee “Whenever it may be, we shall meet again”

Chion Lee “Whenever it may be, we shall meet again”

acrylic, pearl pigment, binder, silver leaf on canvas

acrylic, enamel pigment, gold leaf on canvas

130.3"97cm! 2007

19"24cm! 2003