Jong YuGyong

29 JUL - 19 AUG 2020

  • "This is my way of confronting the feeling of alienation."

    - Jong YuGyong  

    Jong YuGyong's practice stems from his explorations of the differentiated yet conjoined histories of the Korean Peninsula and Japan. As a third-generation "Zainichi" Korean (Korean with the status of special permanent residents of Japan), he is compelled to examine his relationships with these nations. 

    • Jong YuGyong For One and Only Country 2 -Blue-, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 156.2 x 110 cm
      Jong YuGyong
      For One and Only Country 2 -Blue-, 2018
      Acrylic on canvas
      156.2 x 110 cm
      USD 5,500.-
      Enquire
    • Jong YuGyong For One and Only Country 2 -Red-, 2017 Acrylic on canvas 156.2 x 110 cm
      Jong YuGyong
      For One and Only Country 2 -Red-, 2017
      Acrylic on canvas
      156.2 x 110 cm
      USD 5,500.-
      Enquire
    • Jong YuGyong For One and Only Country 2 -Yellow-, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 156.2 x 110 cm
      Jong YuGyong
      For One and Only Country 2 -Yellow-, 2018
      Acrylic on canvas
      156.2 x 110 cm
      Enquire
  • In Jong's painting series 'For One and Only Country', circles of various sizes, in stark black and bright colors proliferate...

    In Jong's painting series "For One and Only Country", circles of various sizes, in stark black and bright colors proliferate the canvas. At first glance, they appear to be abstract patterns, yet, as one takes a step backward to view the work from a distance, the silhouette of a figure starts to become visible. These figures originate from found images of North Korean propaganda posters on the Internet. By enlarging the original images, adding visual noise and distorting the compositions, he dilutes the original context of the posters. Taking influence from pop art, the large and small circles drawn vividly on the canvas are the enlarged dots of a printed image. The vague outline of the subject depicted and the act of having to adjust one's distance between the painting in order to discern the image, is a precise reflection of the relationship between the artist and his country, expressing the difficult position in which Jong stands. 

  • (Larger version of this image opens in a popup).
    (Larger version of this image opens in a popup).
    (Larger version of this image opens in a popup).

  • Exhibition view: 2020 Asia Project — Looking for Another Family, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. Image courtesy of the museum. For more information on the exhibition, click here.

  • Jong further develops his interest in radical 'slogans' found on propaganda posters and focuses on the emptiness and abstraction they might possess. Written in bold across the canvas are the Korean words, "Victory", "Forward!" and "Unity". These formalized slogans have now become meaningless for the artist, blending into the work as part of its visual aesthetic. Jong's indifference to the slogans hint of the empty and inconsequential relationship that he shares with the Korean peninsula.

    • Jong YuGyong Untitled -Unity- , 2019 Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 x 5 cm
      Jong YuGyong
      Untitled -Unity- , 2019
      Acrylic on canvas
      100 x 100 x 5 cm
      USD 3,000.-
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    • Jong YuGyong Untitled -Victory- (black), 2019 Acrylic on canvas 156.2 x 110 x 6.5 cm
      Jong YuGyong
      Untitled -Victory- (black), 2019
      Acrylic on canvas
      156.2 x 110 x 6.5 cm
      USD 4,000.-
      Enquire
    • Jong YuGyong Untitled -Let’s all go to the celebration square of victory!-, 2019 Acrylic on canvas 156.2 x 110 x 6.5 cm
      Jong YuGyong
      Untitled -Let’s all go to the celebration square of victory!-, 2019
      Acrylic on canvas
      156.2 x 110 x 6.5 cm
      USD 4,000.-
      Enquire
  • ABOUT THE ARTIST Jong YuGyong (b. 1991, Kobe, Japan) graduated from the faculty of Fine Art of Korea University in...

    ABOUT THE ARTIST

    Jong YuGyong (b. 1991, Kobe, Japan) graduated from the faculty of Fine Art of Korea University in Tokyo. Being a third generation Zainichi, he provides different perspectives to the relationship between visual experience and politics, and also one's globalized identity. 

     

    His recent exhibitions include “Welcome to the Parade” (2019), Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan, “Desert Garden” (2019), Ota Fine Arts, Shanghai, China, “Geopolitical Grounds” (2018), Ota Fine Arts, Singapore, “Project Hope?”, Post Territory Ujeongguk, Seoul (2017) and “Zainichi, the present and the art Ⅱ”, eitoeiko, Tokyo (2016).

     

    He was awarded the Encourage Award at the ' VOCA Exhibition 2019' at The Ueno Royal Museum, Japan.