Seung-pyo Hong’s work has been on display at the KCC and at Sasapari. Now he has a solo show at Bearspace, 152 Deptford High Street, London, SE8 3PQ.
Seung Pyo Hong-The Monitor Lizard
21 May -18 June
Wed-Sat // 10 am – 6 pmPreview Evening
27 May // 6.30-8.30pm
In association with South London LAST FridaysBEARSPACE presents a new series of works by artist Seung Pyo Hong. Hong employs a unique style of editioned metal plate etchings, hand coloured in oil paint, based on the functionality of humans, animals and machines. BEARSPACE first presented this artist’s work in 2010 soon after the artist’s graduation from Goldsmiths College. The exhibition at BEARSPACE ‘Mecha’ received rave reviews and Hong has been working on a new series of large etchings and print editions during 2010-2011.
Hong’s works depict fictional inventions in a very graphic style, through which he explores the relationship between human evolution and the development of technology. These bright works, directly etched and coloured onto aluminium and steel plate, focus on the potential fusion of organic matter and machine. This is a futuristic sentiment, used as a motif in scifi throughout the 20th Century. Referencing this, Hong uses retro machinery and characters from the 60’s and 70’s highlighting aspirations from the time fused with scientific development of more recent years. In his odd but fascinating scenes, the viewer is almost left as a detective, working out what a piece of machinery is for, what the characters are playing out and where the scene is set. One is reminded of scenes from ‘Prisoner’ due to the works retro, colourful and mystical feel.
However, very modern ideologies are at play here. Ecology, consumption and evolution are at the core of these works. Hong reflects on the future of the human race beyond the next century, in particular the advancement of potential biological connections to technology. Hong considers, “In the future, I imagine that humans will evolve dependent on their own desire rather than the selection of nature. It will be very creative much as nature is”, his works are an exploration of these ideas.
Hong grew up in South Korea and studied Printmaking at Hongik University, Seoul and completed his BA in Fine Art at Goldsmiths in 2009. He has shown in the UK and Korea most recently at the Arco Art fair, Feria de Madrid in 2011 and the Cais Gallery in Hong Kong. Recent exhibitions include RHIZOSPHERE an exhibition of South Korean artists at the Oxo Tower and an exhibition at the South Korean Embassy. Seung Pyo Hong has works in private and public collection throughout Korea, Japan and London, most notably the Government Art Collection.