Cheong Un

Obscura will host Huh Seong Hee's CHEONG UN exhibition on Mar. 5, which aims to revive the forgotten Korean aesthetic sense through pictorial testimonies of our cultural heritage. Huh Seong Hee, who has garnered significant attention for their series of love records, will present approximately 20 paintings showcasing the beauty of Joseon white porcelain. This collection will include dragon-adorned love records, pencil cases, and ceramics, commemorating the year of the blue dragon in 2024. Huh's artistic endeavors are rooted in their fascination and appreciation for our cultural heritage. Having majored in oriental painting and archaeological art history at university, and dedicating over a decade to studying the restoration simulation of cultural artifacts, the artist aspired to share the beauty and intricacy of our culture with a wider audience. Until now, they have explored modern interpretations of traditional painting styles such as peony, flower painting, and flag painting, including Chochungdo, one of Shin Saimdang's iconic works. Winning an award at the "Youth Artist's Beauty of Korea" event hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2018 provided validation for the pursuit of "beauty in our culture" that Huh has been dedicated to. Inspired by the National Museum's "Invitation of a Collector" exhibition two years ago, the artist has been continuously releasing series since 2022. Yeonjeok, a relic often paired with an inkstone among the four essential tools used by scholars during the Joseon Dynasty, served as the focal point of study and art. These stationery items, known as Yeonjeok-like, not only symbolized the owner's perspective and dignity but were also cherished possessions exchanged between friends sharing similar sentiments. The artist's interest in Yeonjeok stems from its artistic value derived from its varied shapes and patterns, each laden with symbolism to encapsulate style and meaning. Moreover, the pleasure of unraveling symbols embedded in familiar cultural motifs such as ducks, Haitai, toads, peaches, and dragons add to Yeonjeok's aesthetic allure. Yeonjeok also extends to philosophical contemplation, embodying the principle that air must enter as much as water exits, thus inviting reflection on filling and emptying thoughts and minds. Artists like Huh, who meticulously study and collect cultural artifacts from institutions like the National Museum of Korea and domestic art galleries, utilizing them as materials for their work, have expanded their scope to include cultural artifacts housed in international institutions such as the Harvard Museum of Art in the United States and the Victoria and Albert Museum in the United Kingdom. This broader perspective also prompts contemplation of our cultural artifacts housed in prominent art museums in the United States and Japan. Huh's work, transcending mere pictorial representation and reality, offers a reexamination and celebration of the diverse and intricate beauty of our culture, bridging the psychological gap between viewers and cultural artifacts. ◼️Obscura