Pt.3 Art Crawl in Itaewon: Lehmann Maupin & 'Sublime Simulacra'

Wrapping up my art-filled day in Itaewon, I headed to Lehmann Maupin to catch the group exhibition Sublime Simulacra. This showcase featured works by Scott Kahn, Kim Yun Shin, Kim Chang Euk, and Hong Soun. Here's a rundown of my thoughts:

Scott Kahn: Nature's Serenity

Scott Kahn's landscape paintings were a breath of fresh air. His portrayal of trees, ponds, and rivers resonated deeply, perhaps because these elements hold a special place in Korean culture. The scenes felt both familiar and tranquil, inviting a sense of peace. Additionally, his tile works were a delightful surprise, evoking memories of my trip to Spain with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Kim Yun Shin: Nature's Essence

Kim Yun Shin's paintings transported me straight into the heart of nature. Her use of color and form vividly captured the essence of forests and greenery, almost allowing me to smell the fresh scent of trees. However, her sculptures didn't quite hit the mark for me. They resembled colored, chopped-off trees, which might be intentional, but they didn't resonate with me as her paintings did.

Kim Chang Euk and Hong Soun: Technical Proficiency

The other artists, Kim Chang Euk and Hong Soun, showcased commendable technique in their works. While I could appreciate their skill and craftsmanship, I didn't feel a strong emotional connection to their pieces.

(PS/ I forgot to take photos of Kim’s works 😂🙂‍↔️🫠)

Final Thoughts

Lehmann Maupin's Sublime Simulacra offered a diverse range of artworks, each evoking different emotions and reflections. Scott Kahn and Kim Yun Shin's pieces stood out to me, each in their unique way, making this exhibition a memorable conclusion to my Itaewon art crawl.

Pt.2 Art Crawl in Itaewon: Foundry Gallery & Ulrike Theusner

After wrapping up my visit to Pace Seoul, I made my way to Foundry Gallery for the next stop on my Itaewon art crawl. This time, I was met with something that immediately caught my attention—an exhibition by Ulrike Theusner. And let me tell you, this one was a standout.

Gothic Drama with a Twist

Theusner’s work has that gothic, almost eerie quality, but instead of being dark and brooding in the traditional sense, it bursts with color. It’s like she took the intensity of gothic art and injected it with an electric vibrancy, making the emotions in the paintings even more striking. The contrast between the haunting themes and bold colors felt unexpected yet completely intentional—like something unsettling but impossible to look away from.

The Faces That Stare Back

What really pulled me in, though, were the portraits. There’s a raw, almost theatrical quality to them. The faces—stretched, distorted, sometimes almost grotesque—are filled with emotion. You don’t just look at them; they look back at you, and not in a passive way. Some felt melancholic, some anxious, some just downright unhinged. It’s that kind of art that doesn’t need an explanation—you feel it before you even try to understand it.

Final Thoughts

This was easily my favorite stop of the day. Unlike my visit to Pace, where I struggled to connect with the works, Theusner’s art hit immediately. It had mood, it had energy, and it had just the right balance of darkness and vibrancy to make it both unsettling and captivating. If you’re into gothic aesthetics but like a bit of unpredictability, this exhibition is absolutely worth checking out.

With that, it was time for the last stop—Lehmann Maupin. Stay tuned.

Pt 1. Art Crawl in Itaewon: A Subjective Take

Last Thursday, I found myself in Itaewon for some shenanigans, with the main events being an art crawl and indulging in some good food. To be honest, my original plan was to head to Myeongdong for some Chinese hotpot and show you all what vegetarians or vegans could enjoy there. But I got a bit lazy, so that plan got scrapped. Don’t worry, though—I'll cover that in my upcoming Veg-log. For now, let’s talk about some art.

I visited three exhibitions, each hosted by galleries of varying sizes. The plan was simple: start at Lehmann Maupin, head to Foundry, and end at Pace—all conveniently lined up on the same street. But since Pace opened earlier than the others, I took a detour, starting there and working my way to Foundry, then Lehmann Maupin. Thankfully, they were all within walking distance.

First Stop: Pace Seoul

Pace was hosting two exhibitions: one by Kenneth Noland and another by Sam Gilliam. Now, let me be upfront—I approach art in the most subjective way possible. I don’t always research an artist before seeing their work. For me, the real magic of art is in the first, raw reaction, before diving into explanations or artistic intent. So, here’s my take.

Kenneth Noland

Noland’s work played with geometric forms, color fields, and layering. The textures were interesting, and I could appreciate the precision behind them, but to me, it felt familiar—like something I’d seen before in countless modern art exhibitions. I know Noland is highly regarded, and being represented by Pace is no small feat, but personally, it didn’t grab me. It was one of those moments where I thought, Okay, cool… but what else? So, I didn’t feel compelled to dig deeper into his background.

Sam Gilliam

Next up, Sam Gilliam. At first glance, his work reminded me of tie-dye—fluid, colorful, and organic. There was an undeniable energy in the way the colors blended and flowed, but I struggled to feel a strong emotional or conceptual pull. I’m sure there’s a deeper philosophy behind it (there always is), but it didn’t intrigue me enough to explore further. Then, I spotted the price tags—some pieces well over a million dollars. And that’s when I had a moment. Could I just throw some paint around, make up a concept, and call it a day? Of course, there’s more to it than that—Gilliam has a long-standing influence in abstract expressionism, and his process is an evolution of color field painting. But my initial gut reaction was skepticism.

Final Thoughts

Art is subjective. What moves one person might leave another indifferent. In this case, Noland’s precision and Gilliam’s expressive colors didn’t resonate with me the way I’d hoped. But that’s the beauty of visiting exhibitions—you never know what will spark something in you. Some pieces stay with you long after you’ve left, while others fade from memory the moment you walk out the door. Either way, the experience is always worth it.

Would I recommend checking these out? If you're into abstract expressionism or color field painting, sure. But if you're looking for something groundbreaking or emotionally gripping, you might walk away feeling like I did—appreciative but unmoved.

Next stop: Foundry and Lehmann Maupin. Stay tuned.