Shinsegae Department Store has opened a new gallery on the mezzanine floor of House of Shinsegae and will hold its first exhibition, a solo show titled "Conditional Planes" by Choi Myung-young, a first-generation master of Korean Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting), the company said on the 20th.
Shinsegae Gallery Gangnam began as "Shinsegae Gallery" alongside the launch of Shinsegae Department Store in 1963 and has since presented exhibitions across various fields, including fine art, design, architecture and fashion.
The opening exhibition features Choi Myung-young's solo show "Conditional Planes." Centered on the artist's signature series of the same name, the exhibition introduces about 18 paintings and drawings. Born in 1941, Choi is a leading artist who has helped shape the course of Korean contemporary art, serving as a key member of the Origin Painting Association in the 1960s and the Korean Avant Garde Association (AG) in the 1970s.
Shinsegae Department Store is also unveiling the artist's early drawings from the 1960s and 1970s, along with major exhibition posters and archival materials from his time with the Korean Avant Garde Association. The exhibition title "Conditional Planes" reflects the artistic question Choi has pursued for more than half a century. In response to the question "What is a plane," the artist has explored the essence of painting through repeated acts of drawing, erasing and filling using tools such as fingers, brushes and awls.
Choi Myung-young's solo exhibition "Conditional Planes" runs through September 9 and is open to all free of charge.
"We are presenting a standalone gallery for the first time at the Gangnam store, a global landmark department store beyond Korea," a Shinsegae Department Store official said. "Starting with Choi Myung-young's opening exhibition, we will continue to present high-quality shows so that customers can enjoy artistic inspiration and cultural experiences beyond shopping."
