Kim Hyunho is an artist who reinterprets the sensibilities of traditional East Asian painting
through a contemporary lens. Drawing from nature—oceans, landscapes, dolmens—his work is not
confined to visible forms, but reaches into the ineffable depths of presence and perception.
His renowned series Painting of Darkness embodies this pursuit. On canvases that appear nearly
black, Kim subtly embeds textures and forms that only reveal themselves upon close inspection.
The viewer's position and movement activate the work, offering a different sensory encounter
each time.
At the heart of his exploration is the concept of Hyun (玄)—the origin of all things, and the color
of profound darkness. Layer upon layer of ink and carbon black form not merely a color field,
but strata of time, emotion, and thought. His paintings transcend the two-dimensional surface to
become objects of bodily experience.
For this Biennale, Kim presents an immersive installation that merges painting, video, and sculptural
elements. It is a space where traditional sumuk techniques meet material experimentation,
expanding the possibilities of ink-based art.
What will you see in this darkness?
Kim Hyunho’s work invites us to stand before a mirror of quiet contemplation.
His darkness is not emptiness—
but a landscape that reflects sensation, memory, and existence.