Gallery Afternoon is delighted to announce <Hymne A Élan Vital>, the solo exhibition by Jin-hyoung Son (Renason, b.1981), starting from January 6th through 27th as the first exhibition of 2024.
Son completed her Bachelor's degree in Painting at Kookmin University's College of Fine Arts and her Master's degree in Painting at Hongik University's Graduate School.
This exhibition, centered around the artist's representative painting series <Élan Vital>, is designed to revisit its meaning, offering a time of hope and happiness accompanied by the fresh energy of the New Year.
Derived from the concept of French philosopher Henri Bergson, <Élan Vital> signifies the continuous outpouring of ever-flowing life, an underlying force that creates the leaps and bounds of evolution and change in all forms of life.
Son consistently explores the boundary between figurative and abstract painting, using the traditional and mythical creature, Qilin(麒麟), alongside the motif of a horse, which serves as a muse and a channel of inspiration for the artist. The horse, symbolizing positive life energy and optimism, is transformed into an image representing Élan Vital through repetitive motifs, transcending the mere form of the horse.
Additionally, the Qilin, known as a noble beast and a leader among mythical creatures in Eastern mythology, shares qualities of benevolence, compassion, and the transmission of hope, happiness, and success. As one of the "Four Symbols" along with the dragon, phoenix, and tortoise, it has been depicted in various forms by artists over generations. In this exhibition, viewers can encounter Son's unique interpretation of Qilin.
Against a white background, the images of horses and Qilins, sometimes presented in black and white simplicity and other times in harmonious colors, exude a vibrant presence, as if they could leap off the canvas at any moment.
With dripping techniques, giving an abstract impression at first glance, a closer look reveals the distinct forms coming into focus. The accumulation of pigments adds a dynamic dimension, making the shapes more vivid.
Through this exhibition, we cordially invite you to encounter an ode to life filled with hopeful visions of the future, passionate yet benevolent, and brimming with positive energy.
