Installation view
of 《Dear ____》 ©ONE AND J. GalleryONE AND J. Gallery presents photographer
Yunho Kim’s solo exhibition, 《Dear ____》, on view until March 7.
Born in 1971, Yunho Kim has long questioned
the fundamental nature of photography. In an era where taking photos has become
effortless for anyone, he continuously reflects on what it means for
photography and the act of capturing images to be considered art. His lens has
primarily focused on exploring Korean society and the external world,
documenting and contemplating contemporary landscapes.
Installation view
of 《Dear ____》 ©ONE AND J. GalleryFor years, Kim used his camera to record
the world around him, engaging with the essence of photography as a medium.
However, after 2017, he turned the camera toward himself, shifting his focus to
introspection. The perspective that once sought to make the familiar appear
unfamiliar began to examine everyday life, projecting his own existence onto
ordinary subjects and gazing at them as if in a silent monologue.
Alongside his photographs, Kim engaged in a
process of self-dialogue, writing down thoughts and emotions that emerged as he
revisited his images. This practice continued for about two years, starting in
May 2017, and was shared through his Instagram (@trulyblessedyunho). Rather
than using Instagram as a mere record-keeping tool, he transformed it into an
open space for contemplation and shared reflection. This process expanded his
gaze from society to the self, leading to a deeper exploration of his identity.
Installation view
of 《Dear ____》 ©ONE AND J. GalleryIn 《Dear ____》, Kim presents 18 works that emerged from this journey. The exhibition pairs printed photographs on canvas with handwritten texts, arranged like paintings. Additionally, the corresponding Instagram posts will be made available online, offering three distinct ways of engaging with the same subject. Through this approach, the exhibition invites viewers to explore multiple perspectives on a single moment.
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.
