Gallery Hyundai presents its first exhibition of 2025 with a solo show by artist Shin Sung Hy (1948–2009), titled 《Couturage, Nouage》, running from February 5 to March 16.

The exhibition revisits the artist’s formative vision of deconstructing the flat canvas to create multidimensional spaces where events unfold, delving into the essence of painting.

The exhibition features the first public presentation of Shin’s Empty Heart (1971) triptych, a work that left an indelible mark in the Korean art world. Furthermore, 《Couturage, Nouage》 showcases thirty-five major works spanning over forty years, offering a retrospective look at the artist’s evolving creative journey, marked by significant shifts in Shin’s practice approximately every decade.

Over the span of his 40-year career, Shin Sung Hy has remained devoted to the canvas. His exploration of deconstructing the two-dimensional plane with one-dimensional lines and reassembling the torn canvas into a dynamic space that resonates in both vertical and horizontal dimensions delves into three-dimensional painting as a space where numerous events and times intertwine.

The painterly spaces constructed through sewing and weaving represent a significant evolution within the legacy of 20th-century artists, pushing the boundaries of the medium. Shin Sung Hy’s work is deeply rooted in Korean traditions, yet boldly embraces Western influences, creating a unique and compelling dialogue between the two.

“Couturage, Nouage”
2025.02.05 - 2025.03.16
Tue-Sun 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Gallery Hyundai
14 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea

Ji Yeon Lee has been working as an editor for the media art and culture channel AliceOn since 2021 and worked as an exhibition coordinator at samuso (now Space for Contemporary Art) from 2021 to 2023.