Showcasing works from six renowned contemporary Korean artists. The exhibition will run from October 10 to November 23, 2024, at the gallery’s space in Chelsea, Manhattan.
Curated by beloved South Korean actress Kim Hee Seon, ATO: A Beautiful Gift brings together 32 iconic works from celebrated artists Park Seo Bo, Lee Ufan, Park Suk Won, Kim Kang Yong, Kang Hyung Koo, and Lee Lee Nam. Following its critically acclaimed debut at The Hyundai in Seoul (September 2023), where it attracted over 400,000 visitors, this marks the exhibition’s first appearance in the United States. The exhibition will travel to Paris in June 2025.
Kim Hee Seon, a prominent figure in Korean and Chinese television and film, serves as both content director and curator for the project. Known for her passion for fine arts, Kim curated the exhibition after extensive studio visits with each artist, crafting an immersive experience aimed at fostering cross-cultural dialogue through art.
“Bringing ATO: A Beautiful Gift to New York is a pivotal moment for these artists,” said Jean Park, Director of Gallery AP SPACE. “This exhibition celebrates Korean artistic excellence and its impact on global contemporary art. We invite everyone to experience this unique cultural event.”
In addition to the exhibition, a documentary crew from Korean Public Television will accompany Kim Hee Seon and the artists to New York, capturing their interactions with American cultural figures.
About the featured artists:
Park Seo Bo
A pioneer of Korean monochrome painting, Park Seo Bo is renowned for his “Method” style, which incorporates texture and spirituality through repetition. His works reflect decades of evolution, from early abstract art to natural color tones, and have gained international attention, particularly at the 2015 Venice Biennale.
Lee Ufan
Founder of the Mono-ha movement, Lee Ufan merges Eastern philosophy with minimalist
aesthetics. His work emphasizes space, object, and viewer interaction, featuring restrained,
minimal marks on large canvases. He is globally recognized, with exhibitions at venues such as
the Guggenheim Museum and the Château de Versailles.
Park Suk Won
Known for his Jik series, Park Suk Won transformed Korean sculpture through stacking and exploring material properties. His works move away from traditional sculpture, focusing on abstraction and harmony between humanity and nature, with a career spanning six decades.
Kim Kang Yong
Kim Kang Yong’s hyper-realistic brick paintings, made with soil and sand, blend the Oriental ink-and-wash technique with a sculptural approach. His work explores the metaphor of sand as a symbol of community, gaining international acclaim at art fairs, notably in Cologne in 1999.
Kang Hyung Koo
Kang Hyung Koo’s portraits of historical figures, such as Marilyn Monroe and Beethoven, showcase dramatic realism, blending historical context with self-reflection. His late start in the art world led to remarkable success, with exhibitions in major cities like New York, London, and Hong Kong.
Lee Lee Nam
A leader in new media art, Lee Lee Nam reimagines classical Oriental masterpieces using digital technology. His works have been widely exhibited, blending traditional art with digital innovation to create dynamic, interactive experiences. He is often referred to as the second Nam June Paik.
