Koo Jahyun: 無題 Untitled

Kimreeaa Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Koo Jahyun, Untitled (無題). For over forty years, Koo has devoted himself to an exacting exploration of flatness and materiality, condensing the weight of time onto the canvas through meticulous processes and deliberate material choices. He believes that the essence of a work is determined largely by its foundation. From preparing the canvas to selecting ink and testing lightfastness, each stage demands accumulated time and the nuanced touch of the artist’s hand.

This deliberate approach, echoing the patient refinement of traditional gujeung-gupo, unfolds slowly, yet reveals structures and forces that only emerge through sustained practice. His surfaces carry a subtle rhythm, formed by layers of material and fine textures. Colors that seem serene are never static; they shimmer and breathe with tiny movements and quiet vitality. The delicate interplay of texture and hue hints at the layers of time beneath, inviting viewers to sense their weight and resonance.

The exhibition presents not only representative flat paintings but also screen prints and woodcuts, demonstrating the consistency of Koo’s visual language across diverse media. Each work arises at the intersection of foundation and action, materiality and time, offering a rare glimpse into his expansive artistic vision and fully realized aesthetic.

By leaving his works untitled, Koo resists fixing them to a single meaning, favoring the continuity of process. Like condensed time erupting to complete a painting, his practice finds fruition where process and outcome meet. This exhibition invites viewers into a dense, immersive experience, where material, color, time, and gesture converge with craftsmanship and contemporary sensibility.