Jinju, b. 1979

Kang Kang Hoon's portrait series not only captures external features but also delves into the deeper emotional essence of each subject, inviting viewers to confront their true selves. His daughter, a recurring motif, serves as both the focal point of the artwork and a reflection of Kang himself. In a recent oil painting series, Kang incorporates symbolic object cotton, inspired by a yearning for his recently deceased mother. The contrast between withered branches and bloomed cotton subtly conflicts and harmonizes, contemplating intergenerational connections. Employing cotton as a metaphor for the enduring connections within humanity, Kang explores broad themes of the past and future on the delicate realm between figuration and abstraction. Major exhibitions featuring his works include the Jeju Museum of Art, Jeju; Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art, Gyeongju; Clayarch Gimhae Museum, Gimhae; Gyeonggi Provincial Museum, Ansan; Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art, Jeju; Gyeongnam Art Museum, Changwon, and Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul. His works are in the collection of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. He has been featured and sold out at numerous art fairs worldwide, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai, and he continues to remain active internationally as one of the most recognizable, leading artists in Korean contemporary art today.