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Born and based in Seoul, Kwon Ki-soo works in a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture and video. He is primarily known for his creation of Dongguri, a character that frequently appears in his work. The human-shaped figure formed by symbolized and purified black lines, is a mechanic and simplified image and thought of modernization full of metaphor. Nowadays Dongguri has become a popular worldwide new vocabulary. “You are so Dongguri!”is almost an pronoun of happy, considerate, and warm. Everyone wants to be Dongguri, and could become Dongguri, to bring the shining smile and energy to himself, as well as to others. Furthermore, Dongguri is always accompanied with highly colorful background. In the fantasia forest the straight bamboos like fireworks draw the colors of various emotions; simplicity contains rich colors; the similar-shaped flowers in different sizes animate the variations and layers in the space. In the uncomplicated structure there is a vivid but still elegant profundity. Through Dongguri, Kwon Kisoo well presents his life philosophy of “profound simplicity”. He hopes to makes everyone smile while seeing Dongguri.
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The concept of “Profound simplicity” makes every Kwon’s work a poem, a modern free-verse poem however containing the lyric disposition of ancient poetry. It just nicely reflects the personal characteristic of Kwon’s artworks, to represent innovative modernism with traditional thought of Korean literati culture. His use of pop language creates animate varieties in the extremely accurate patterns, and gives Kwon’s artworks the poetic attraction similar to Cheng Chou-Yi’s verse “da-da of horse’s roof”, tasty and pregnant with meaningful scenes.
Dongguri’s world is just like your and my world. He would take walk in the forest, think when sitting on the rock, be inspired in the water, fly in the dream, even rowing and swing… and also has a lovely dog accompanying. Dongguri’s world is full of infinite happiness, as well as wisdom beyond humor. In fact Dongguri’s “profound happiness” is a contemporary new vocabulary derived from Korean literati paintings. Just like Dongguri’s favorite habit to see on the square in the bamboo forest – the square symbolizes meditation stone which is an important icon in Korean literati culture and paintings – Kwon Ki-soo gives this philosophy an abstract and sophisticate contemporary meaning.
In the colorful visual language, Kwon Ki-soo constantly creates fresh expressions and connotations. “Spherical World - Red” (2008) is painted directly on aluminum to create an expressive joy and a round perfection similar to jade ring; “Flame Flower – The Red River” presents a rather profound space by wandering rivers curving into the depth beyond the forest, therefore layers of vision have been greatly enriched. In “Square Forest”, a small boat flows between chromatic glister and shadow; tons of rainbow cubes pile up a splendid fairyland; the rippling of water is just like the adorable dimples on Dongguri’s smile. In the series of “Flying”, irregular diversities appear in the well-ordered structure by switching red, green and purple. Patternized Dongguri’s were displayed repetitively in big or small sizes like shining stars. Although the works describe Dongguri sitting on the airplane, two of these elements are painted in same scale and become a united image. The structure of parallel visual line gives the work an abnormal sense of speed; just like the immense sky with shining star river across, it presents an extraordinary charming vision.
Through Dongguri Kwon Ki-soo brings paintings into a free fantastic world. Just like Korean celebrated art critic and curator Kim Sunhee said, Kwon Ki-soo abandons the visual imitation to the reality, and turns to seek a deeper world. Mountains and water become a kind of symbol, a paradigm and a fundamental concept. He successful build a strong personal totem and icon, interprets in an interesting way “a world where lightness and heaviness coexist”. |
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| 1972 |
Born in Young-ju, Korea |
| 1998 |
M.F.A. Hongik university, Seoul |
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| Solo Exhibitions (selected) - |
| 2021 |
Art Skybrige (BODA Gallery, Incheon Academy of Science and Arts)
Dongguri 20 Years (Project Space Mium, Seoul) |
| 2019 |
Part I Pacho(芭蕉) Plantain_ Permanent Blue (Atelier Aki, Seoul)
Part II Drowing (Atelier Aki, Seoul) |
| 2015 |
Hoosou(後素) (Lotte Gallery, Seoul) |
| 2013 |
The Golden Garden (Parkryusook Gallery, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province)
Kwon Kisoo (Space.1- Daum Communications, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province) |
| 2012 |
Hello, Dongguri (Artmia, Beijing) |
| 2011 |
Reflection : 明鏡止水 (Gallery Hyundai, Seoul)
Dongguri's mysterious smile (Sigiarts Gallery, Jakarta) |
| 2010 |
Are You Waiting For ME? ---- Kwon Ki-soo’s New Xanadu (Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan)
New paintings (Urban art, Seoul)
I have a dream (Opera Gallery, Paris)
Recent Work (Flowers Gallery, New York)
Sky High ( ILWOO Space, Seoul) |
| 2009 |
Travel (Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province)
Utopia (Bamboo Art Space, Shanghai)
From deep black (Flowers Gallery, London) |
| 2008 |
Who’s Dongguri? (Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan)
4 Seasons (Parkryusook Gallery, Seoul)
Layer (Gallery NoW, Seoul) |
| 2006 |
Black Forest (Artpark Gallery,Seoul) |
| 2005 |
Kwon, Ki Soo-Animation (Paik Hae Young Gallery, Seoul) |
| 2004 |
A Red Fountain (Gallery Fish, Seoul) |
| 2002 |
Wow, This Is A Flower! ('Congdu' In An Annex To The Woljon Art Center, Seoul ; Gallery Fish, Seoul ) |
| 1998 |
The Show 1998 (Kwanhoon Gallery, Seoul) |
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| Group Exhibitions (selected) - |
| 2022 |
Semi Art Community Project : Boogie Woogie Art Museum (Ulsan Art Museum, Ulsan) |
| 2021 |
One Day In The Future…, Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
Public Art Project –Youngheung Neulpurn Art Center(Neulpurn Center, Youngheung)
Uncomfortably Exciting (Gangnam Interior Design Week, Seoul)
The Encounter Between Hanguel and Korean Painting (Korean Cultural Center in Hong
Kong, Hong Kong)
The Labyrinth 迷宮 - Painting and Aesthetics (One·Edition Art Space, Seoul)
2021 World Callegraphy Biennale of Jeollabuk-do - To embrace nature (Sori Arts
Center of Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju) The Mystery of Time, Art Taipei Fair (Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei) |
| 2020 |
Dialogue (Atelier Aki, Seoul)
Super Collection (Superior Gallery, Seoul)
Endless : Extended sight (Atelier Aki, Seoul) |
| 2019 |
Korean eye:2020 Korean Contemporary Art, pop-up(Hana Bank, Seoul) |
| 2018 |
Return of Desire (Jungnang Art Center, Seoul)
he Third Print 'Homo Archivist; The Artist's Intervention' (Dohing Art, Seoul)
Urban Art (Urban Art, Seoul)
Where is Our Home? (Seoul Arts Center, Seoul) |
| 2017 |
DNA of Coreanity (Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art, Gyeongju)
Nangmanchangcheon 浪漫窗前 (Kyungpook National University Art Museum, Daegu)
Moving Korea(Korean Cultural Center Philippines, Manila)
Happy End of Elephant Factory : Pleasant and Rustic Contemporary Art (Kyobo Art
Center, Seoul)
Animamix Biennale 2017 : Myth & Science (Art:1 New Museum, Jakarta)
Small is beautiful (Flowers gallery, London) |
| 2016 |
Sympathy (交感) : Berween art (Topaz Hall, Pangyo)
The Discovery of Space (Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Ansan)
DNA of Coreanity (Tehran Milad Tower Gallery, Tehran)
Save the Earth : Green Corps (UN Headquarters, New York)
Falling in Love with women's Portraits (Sejong Museum of Art, Seoul)
Small is beautiful (Flowers gallery, London) |
| 2015 |
Flower Power (Parkryusook Gallery, Seoul)
Public Project : Run Piano (Seoul)
The Moment of Karma-Singapore Open Media Art Festival(SOMAF)(Gillman Barracks,
Singapore)
夢中哀傷-三色桃 (Zaha Museum, Seoul)
Hello Art (Gwanju Museum of Art, Gwanju)
Very Fun Park (Fubon Art Foundation, Taipei)
Children in Korean Art and Culture (Cheongju National Museum, Cheongiu) |
| 2014 |
Neo-Sansu (Daegu Art Museum, Daegu)
A-AF Special Event (Culture Station Seoul 284, Seoul) |
| 2013 |
Image and Reality- Kwon Ki Soo * Kim Dong Yoo (SINDOH Art Space, Seoul)
In Search of Plum Blossoms (Parkryusook Gallery, Seoul)
Public Art Project 'Panorama of Paradise' (Dongchun Station, Incheon)
The Public's Extended (Culture Station Seoul 284, Seoul)
ART & SHAKE -Daum Mobile Art project (Daum app)
Clues of Asia (Long Museum, Shanghai)
The Wind that Wakes Bamboo(Gwangju National Museum, Gwangju)
Animamix Biennale 2013-2014, Drama Within(Daegu Art Museum, Daegu)
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| 2012 |
Korean Art in the textbooks (Museum of Art, Seoul National University, Seoul)
Korean eye( Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi)
Future Pass (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taiching, Taiwan)
Jin(to Advance). Tong(to Communicate). Contemporary Korean Art Since the 1990’s
(Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju)
The Garden with Plum flowers (Whanki Museum, Seoul) |
| 2011 |
Logic of Imagination (Zaha Museum, Seoul)
Poem and Drawing (Gana Art Center, Seoul)
Closer to Contemporary Art (Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Ansan)
Future Pass - from Asia to the World : Collateral Event of the 54th International art
Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia (Abbazia di San Gregorio, Venice)
?-Beyond the Blue (Gallery Hyundai, Seoul)
Technology meets tradition (EwhaWomans University Museum, Seoul)
Korean Eye: Energy and Matter (Museum of Art and Design, New York)
Where’s My Friends’ Home? (Nam Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul)
Future Pass (Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam) |
| 2010 |
Invitation to a Wondrous House (NAM SEOUL annex building of the SEOUL MUSEUM of ART)
Free Style : A Dialogue Between Art and Design (Hongik Museum of Art HOMA, Seoul)
Medium & Imagination(Ehwa Art Center, Seoul)
In the Name of Korean Painting (Pohang Museum Of Steelart, Pohang)
40X40X40X40 (Cottenseed, Seoul)
The art of a homepage(with Google)
Very Fun Park (Fubon Art Foundation, Taipei)
Busan Biennale - Now Asian Artist (Busan)
small is beautiful XXVIII (Flowers gallery, London) |
| 2009 |
In Search of Plum Blossoms in Paintings (Gwangju National Museum, Gwangju)
Korean Eye-Moon Generation (Phillips de Pury& Company Space at The Saatchi Gallery, London)
Animamix Biennial (Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai, Today's Art Museum in Beijing, Guangdong Museum of Art in Guangzhou) |
| 2008 |
One Fine Spring Day (Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju, Korea)
Child at Heart: Purity in Innocence in Korean Art
(Ewha Womans University Museum, Seoul)
Larger than Life Art Gallery - iGoogle artist campaign (New York, US)
An Island 649-11 (LIG Art Hall, Seoul)
2008 Very Fun Park (Fubon Art Foundation, Taipei)
YooEoGong(遊於空), Wander on the Sky (63 Sky Art Museum, Seoul)
Mirror,mirror!(The Children's Gallery of the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Korea) |
| 2007 |
Exposition Animanga-EXIT and VIA's international Festivals
(Creteil/Maubeuge, France)
Another Home (Cais Gallery, Hong Kong)
Giants in Illusion (Seajong art center, Seoul, Korea)
The blooming day in a Museum (Gongju National Museum, Gongju)
3rd Life 4th Dimension Animamix (Sun Yat-Set Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan) |
| 2006 |
A Hat and A Boa (Gallery Skape, Seoul)
Fiction @ Love (MOCA Shanghai, Shanghai)
Joyful art travel (Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju,Korea)
The 2nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival( Hangzhou , China)
Power of imagination (Korea University Museum, Seoul)
Fiction @ Love (Singapore Art Museum, Singapore)
Who are you (Kumho Museum of Art, Seoul)
'Living Furniture'-Busan biennial(Busan, Korea)
On-go-e-g-shin (Daejeon Municipal Museum of Art, Daejeon)
The 5th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (Queensland Art Gallery, Australia) |
| 2005 |
New Acquistions 2004 (National Museum of Contemporary Art. Korea)
Traveling Art Museum 2005 (National Museum of Contemporary Art.Korea)
The Elegance of Silence(MORI ART MUSUEM, Tokyo)
Looking Both Ways : Three Artists (Yellow Bird Gallery, Newburgh, New York )
The Zoo in the Museum (Jeonbuk Province Art Museum)
Seoul Exhibition of Young Artists (Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul)
MAM SCREEN (Mori Bilding Screen, Tokyo)
The 1st China International Animation and Comic Industrial Expo (Hangzhou, China) ?
The Magic of Art (Chosun-ilbo Museum, Seoul)
United Buddy Bears Seoul Festival 2005 (Seoul Olympic Park, Seoul)
AnSan Media Art 2005 (Danwon gallery, Ansan)
?Art Toon,Toon Art (Gail Art Museum, Gapyeong) |
| 2004 |
Traveling Art Museum (National Museum of Contemporary Art.Korea)
What happens between Art and Popular Culture(National Museum of Contemporary Art.Korea)
Wow, This Is A Flower! (Jebiwool Art Museum, Gwacheon)
Butterfly which dream (Unicef hall, Chuncheon)
Gulliver's Travels (Sungkok Art Museum, Seoul)
Summer Screen ( ?gallery ,SK Telecom mobile gallery june)
Fiction.Love-Ultra New Vision in Contemporary Art(Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, MOCA-Taipei)
The 1st Juan Media Festival-Joy mART(Youth Media Cultural Center, Juan)
Image Utopia (Kepco plaza, Seoul)
Tadpole and frog (Gallery Artpark)
Art Toon/Toon Art (Gail Art Museum, Gapyeong) |
| 2003 |
Prince & Princess' (Gallery Hyundai, Seoul)
Comics in Art, Art in Comics (Ewha Womans University Museum, Seoul)
Korean painting Paradiso (Posco Art Museum, Seoul)
Fly Dongguri-KBS(Korea Broadcasting Station) Digital Museum
Finding the hidden images-Before & After (Daejeon Municipal Museum of Art, Daejeon)
Art and Playing (Hangaram Art Museum of Seoul Arts Center, Seoul)
Pleasure Factory (Seoul Museum of Art , Seoul) |
| 2002 |
Flow: New Tendencies in Korean Art
Paradise Among Us (Korean Culture and Arts Foundation, Seoul)
The 1st Flood gate Open Art Museum Project (Hangang Park, Seoul) |
| 2001 |
Filter-The 4th(HanWon Art Center, Seoul)
Korean Spirit (Kwanhoon Gallery, Seoul) |
| 2000 |
Market-Make up (Mapogu.Seoul) |
| 1999 |
Filter-Anxiety (Seoul Art Center, Seoul)
Bus-Demonstration (Sung-gok Art Museum, Seoul)
Visual Culture-Change a Century (Sung-gok Art Museum, Seoul) |
| 1998 |
Filter-Come Out of the Forest (Insa Gallery, Seoul)
Kim's Outlet Open Festival (Kim's Outlet, Bundang) |
| 1997 |
Mirror (Seo-nam Art Museum, Seoul) |
| 1996 |
The 15 th Grand Art Exhibition of Korea(National Museum of Contemporary Art, Kwachun) |
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| Awards - |
| 1996 |
The 15 th Grand Art Exhibition of Korea Finalist |
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Grant - |
| 2015 |
Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (Visiting Professor) |
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Residence - |
| 2003 |
Jerusalem Center for Visual Arts, Jerusalem, Israel |
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| ublic Art project- |
| 2021 |
Youngheung Neulpurn Art Center(Neulpurn Center, Youngheung) |
| 2015 |
Run Piano (Seoul) |
| 2013 |
'Panorama of Paradise' (Dongchun Station, Incheon) |
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