Retrospective exhibition showcasing Pop Art pioneer James Rosenquist opens in Seoul

The artist’s first solo retrospective in the country is being held at the Sehwa Museum of Art, which is owned and managed under Taekwang Group. Titled “Universe,” the show looks back at the six-decade-long artistic career of James Rosenquist.

“Eclipse” (1991) by James Rosenquist. ⓒ 2024 James Rosenquist, Inc. / Licensed by Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Courtesy of the Estate of James Rosenquist [SEHWA MUSEUM OF ART]

James Rosenquist (1933-2017) was one of the leading figures of the American Pop Art Movement in the 20th century alongside the likes of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

But not many Koreans know who Rosenquist is. Exhibitions on the latter two are held regularly in Korea, but there has rarely been a chance to introduce Rosenquist and his large-scale paintings to the local public. His works were not only considered Pop Art, but at times, Abstract and even Surrealist. His last Korean exhibition was held in 1989.

The artist’s first solo retrospective in the country is being held at the Sehwa Museum of Art, which is owned and managed under Taekwang Group. Titled “Universe,” the show looks back at the six-decade-long artistic career of Rosenquist, who tackled themes ranging from social and economic issues to the cosmic world and the philosophy of life.

“Though the artist had a wide resume of works that showcased his lifelong interest in the things around us, including science and ecology, you’ll notice that they have one coherent motif: outer space,” Park Hee-jung, vice director of the Sehwa Museum of Art, said in a press conference last week.

″The Serenade for the Doll after Claude Debussy, Gift Wrapped Doll No. 8″ by James Rosenquist [SHIN MIN-HEE]

Rosenquist was naturally always fond of the skies since he was a child due to the influence of his pilot parents. He depicted his fascination for eclipses, the stars and other cosmic objects in his oil paintings like “Eclipse” (1991), in which he drew the Earth and other planet-like figures against a color vision test background, with working clock hands that were attached vertically and protruded from the canvas.

“It was Rosenquist’s way of asking what the concept of time and space really is,” Park said.

Rosenquist was also intrigued with criticizing societal issues, unlike his other Pop artist colleagues. He created the “Gift Wrapped Doll” series after the AIDS crisis started in the U.S. in 1981, portraying bizarre-looking child dolls in red cellophane on the canvas.

Dedicated to his young daughter for whom he was concerned would have to face the harsh realities of life, the paintings contained metaphors that had ambivalent meanings — wrapping the dolls up would be protecting them from the risks, but at the same time, would be an act of oppression.

“An Intrinsic Existence” (2015) by James Rosenquist. ⓒ 2024 James Rosenquist, Inc. / Licensed by Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Courtesy of the Estate of James Rosenquist and Thaddaeus Ropac. [SEHWA MUSEUM OF ART]

In “An Intrinsic Existence” (2015), the artist’s last painting that also serves as the flagship piece for this exhibition, Rosenquist’s passion for the universe expanded over to the multiverse. The painting is full of vibrant geometric shapes with twinkling effects that represent the infinite worlds out there.

But upon closer inspection, one can notice a round mirror in the center that reflects whoever looks at the painting. Despite the boundless worlds that may or may not exist, Rosenquist thought that the most fundamental existence was, in fact, the self.

“James Rosenquist: Universe” continues until Sept. 29. Sehwa Museum of Art is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are 15,000 won ($11) for adults.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]