Hyperrealist Painting Exhibition: Their Story in Realism

Realism, pioneered in 19th-century France by Courbet and since defined more precisely as an aesthetic term distinct from classicism and romanticism, still occupies a major place in art today, even as the essence each era pursues has shifted.

"Hyperrealism" is the Korean translation of the English term Hyper Realism, but its character differs greatly from its American counterpart. Rather than stopping at objective reproduction with all commentary and emotion suppressed, it embeds a clear philosophy and sensibility within the work — so that where American hyperrealist paintings read almost as photographs, Korean paintings, however close to reality their rendering, still read unmistakably as paintings.

Their Story in Realism. For this exhibition, now in its fourth year at SOOHOH GALLERY, seven hyperrealist painters render their own stories onto blank canvas with unmatched precision and sincerity. Eunok Kim's "The Precious Message" conveys, through the traditional Korean wrapping cloth (pojagi), a sensibility words alone cannot capture. Seo Hyo Sook's "New Insight on Life" evokes the wonder of life through a flower caught at the peak of full bloom. Yoo Yong Sang renders wine poured in a glass, Lee Eun a stuffed toy, Choi Kyung Moon a glass bottle and its surrounding scene, Lee Heum a cake, and Choi Jung Hyuk an apple — each with hyperrealist precision.

We hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to revisit "Korean-style realism — hyperrealist painting" through the individual story each artist tells.

- **Exhibiting artists** — Eunok Kim, Seo Hyo Sook, Yoo Yong Sang, Lee Eun, Lee Heum, Choi Kyung Moon, Choi Jung Hyuk - **Venue** — SOOHOH GALLERY