Chung Hyun's bronzes invite contemplation

The artist's five bronze sculptures are on display at Lee Art in Hannam-dong, Seoul until June 6.

Installation view of "Sculptural Poetry" at Lee Art in Seoul (Courtesy of the gallery)

From a distance, Korean sculptor Chung Hyun's bronze figures resemble a group of monks in contemplation.

The five sculptures, around 50 centimeters in height, are cozily put together at a a gallery tucked into an alley in Hannam-dong — one of Seoul’s most affluent neighborhoods and a growing hub for contemporary art. Clearly visible through the gallery’s glass walls, the installation invites passersby to pause.

The artist is known for exploring humanity through discarded materials such as coal tar, rubble and metal and turning them into sculptures. The sculptures in this exhibition were created through bronze casting in 1997 or 2004, according to the Lee Art.

Three of the bronze sculptures by Chung Hyun on view at "Sculptural Poetry" at Lee Art in Seoul (Courtesy of the gallery)

“By distilling the human form into simplified, essential shapes, Chung unveils its multilayered interiority, while employing raw and robust materials to engage in a dialogue about existence,” said Lee Min-joo, director of Lee Art, who also runs Lee Art Consulting.

Chung, 69, is an established artist with his works presented at museums including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Nam-Seoul Museum of Art, Kumho Museum of Art and Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris. The exhibition "Sculptural Poetry" at Lee Art runs through June 6. A reservation is required to visit the exhibition.