Exhibition of artworks by young Korean artists at SNUMOA explores human consciousness

A recently concluded exhibition called "Memory Beneath The Ego, Fantasy Above The Ego" was a spectacular showcase of around 150 paintings from 19 young Korean artists.

Paintings at the "Memory Beneath The Ego" explored various human emotions. [DEEPTI NAIR]

Discover the depths of your consciousness with a series of artworks on display at the Seoul National University Museum of Art. Korea's first university-affiliated art museum that opened in 1946, the museum pays homage to Korean modern and contemporary art through various exhibitions held throughout the year.

For example, a recently-concluded exhibition called "Memory Beneath The Ego, Fantasy Above The Ego" was a spectacular showcase of around 150 paintings from 19 young Korean artists.

The poster for the ″Memory Beneath The Ego, Fantasy Above The Ego″ exhibition at the Seoul National University Museum of Art [DEEPTI NAIR]

The artworks showcased in this exhibition represented the artists' way of discovering the depths of their consciousness with a heightened sense of perception, according to Sim Sang-yong, the museum's director, in a note introducing the exhibition, titled "An Era When (Almost) Everything Is Lost, and Paintings of What Cannot Be Grasped." From an attempt to seek catharsis, or in other words, an emotional release from stress or pain, these artworks open up new perspectives to look at life and perceive its meaning.

Sim also noted, "Such perception is a rare characteristic in the art of our era, since art obeys the power of the social," referencing French philosopher Simone Weil's quote, "Conscience is deceived by the social," which suggests the extent of our imagination is constrained by society.

That was the very idea that the exhibition explored, highlighting the importance of reflection within oneself and self-discoveries in the consciousness.

All the artworks that were on display at the exhibition thus exuberated a fresh rush of imagination and awakened perception, starting with pieces by Choi Ji-won, which greet you as you enter the exhibition hall.

″The year of the Rabbit’s Room″ by Choi Ji-won [DEEPTI NAIR]

″The Paused Moment″ by Choi Ji-won [DEEPTI NAIR]

Choi is known for her distinct drawing of vintage porcelain dolls in vivid colors. These delicate dolls, which can break even with a small impact, are meant to represent the fragility and sensitivity of today's lonely era.

However, the artist's use of windows, blinds and mirrors in her drawings hints at a possibility of connecting to the outside world, a chance at redemption. "The year of the Rabbit's Room" and "The Paused Moment" were two of the most mesmerizing pieces at the exhibition, with their bright blue and orange hues captivating visitors' eyes the moment they entered the gallery. Despite the expressionless faces on the dolls, they seemed to express much deeper emotions and invite visitors to a room for retrospection.

″Watering in the early morning″ by Choi Mo-min [DEEPTI NAIR]

″Self-exploiting man: In the studio″ by Choi Mo-min [DEEPTI NAIR]

Artist Choi Mo-min's "Watering in the early morning" was another showstopper at the exhibition, with its eeriness. The single piece of painting seemed to contain multiple mysterious stories left for the viewers to figure out. The main protagonist is seen watering the garden while staring into the viewer's soul with a haunting gaze that sure leaves a lasting impression.

Similarly, "Self-exploiting man: In the studio" could be interpreted as a man trying to break out of his shell in an attempt to discover himself. The obscurity of the distorted realities depicted in these paintings is what makes Choi Mo-min's work stand out.

A collection of four paintings by Nam Jin-u, from left, “Guardians of Eden,″ “The Earthly Paradise,″ “Destroyer / Protector” and “Monsters from such a Cruel Sea” [DEEPTI NAIR]

Nam Jin-u's pieces were majestic centerpieces with their richness spreading across four gigantic canvases. Mythical narratives with an element of bizarreness flow across these paintings that seem like a fairytale, the artist's own fantasy starring mystical creatures from his imagination — blue angel-like creatures called the Guardians of Eden depicting an earthly paradise and fighting with a monster from the sea. Yet its distinctive religious undertones give it somewhat of a medieval feel, so much so that if it were meant to be installed on tall cathedral walls. The sheer flow of connected, imaginative storytelling in these pieces, with their massiveness, is what leaves one in awe and appreciation.

″Boutique″ by Ryu No-ah [DEEPTI NAIR]

Ryu No-ah's "Boutique" depicts a dystopian reality, reflecting an unstable and chaotic society that rings too real in today's context, showing a space where the past, reality and future seem to be mixed together. Gazing at the painting, which makes one think of the post-war reality where what was once alive is now dead, encourages viewers to look at the world around them more kindly by leading them to think about the futility of life.

An international student looks at artworks at the "Memory Beneath The Ego, Fantasy Above The Ego″ exhibition at the Seoul National University Museum of Art [DEEPTI NAIR]

The "Memory Beneath The Ego, Fantasy Above The Ego" was brilliant in its ability to make one reflect on the meaning of consciousness and imagine the possibility of what can transpire when one taps deep into one's consciousness, breaking the barriers of societal norms. It leaves one with soaring inspiration to rise above and pursue an awakened perception.

In the words of Sim, "Let us return to the self, which alternates unstably between a non-reality that cannot reach the supernatural or surreal, although it definitely has a certain impact on the vulgar reality, and fantasy, as a resemblance of eternity, constantly being damaged by that non-reality!"

The exhibition featured works of a total of 19 young Korean artists: Kwon Hoe-chan, Kim Winter Gye-oul, Kim Mi-rae, Kim Min-zo, Kim Jin-hee, Kim Hye-ree, Nard Chae, Nam Jin-u, Noh Han-sol, Ryu No-ah, Park Seo-yeon, Son Min-seok, Ryu Yae-rim, Lee Su-jin, Lim Hyun-jeong, Jeon Da-wha, Jeon Hyun-sun, Choi Mo-min and Choi Ji-won.

BY STUDENT REPORTER DEEPTI NAIR [kjd.kcampus@joongang.co.kr]