LIGHTNESS. Kyou-Hong Lee and Kyeok Kim
21 October – 25 November 2022
Opening: 20 October, 6 to 9 p.m.
21 to 28 October: 11 am to 7 pm
2 to 25 November: by appointment

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ESH Gallery is pleased to present LIGHTNESS, a two-person exhibition dedicated to the works of Kyou-Hong Lee and Kyeok Kim, among the new leading artists of contemporary Korean art.
The exhibition features a selection of glass wall works and metal sculptures with the aim of investigating the latest technical and expressive research between art and traditional craftsmanship.
The common thread that connects the work of the two artists, although authors of distinct languages in terms of technique and aesthetics, is the concept of time as a metamorphic process and reflection on human experience.

Kyou-Hong Lee among the leading figures in glass art in Korea, focuses his work on the themes of space and time while refining his practice in the increasingly expressive field through colour.
In the Breathing of Light series, Lee brings to life works suspended between the material and immaterial through ethereal-looking surfaces that investigate the idea of movement and transformation.
Irregularly dynamic crystal elements emerge from the sheets of etched glass and characterized by blurred colors, appearing to float in the stillness of matter.
The final result is striking: with natural light, the works create reflections and shades of colour, altering the environment and creating a continuous movement within the work.
Lee describes this exploration of the contours of light in the series as: 

“… a song of praise for the divine and brilliant light. The light of my heart radiates strong positive energy, but it also possesses the vision of ‘Jung-Joong-Dong’ (stillness in motion).” 

Kyeok Kim, following her jewelry studies at the Royal College of Art in London, began her research by observing the marks and imprints left on the skin by her jewelry.
From this starting point, the artist began to devote herself to works made of copper wires woven in crochet and covered with Korean lacquer (ottchil) following the ancient techniques of her country.
This laborious practice, which metaphorically recalls the passage of time, is the basis of her Second Surface series, where vases and vessels inspired by the forms of Korean tradition are conceived as containers of past memories and experiences.
Kim thus gives life to light elements that by distorting themselves create unusual forms that are on the one hand visible and tangible, and on the other hand able to deceive perceptions through illusory plays of light and shadow.
With a large installation of woven copper wire in 2021 Kim was a finalist for the prestigious Loewe Craft Prize.

From 20 to 23 October, ESH Gallery is pleased to take part in the second edition of Milano Jewellery Week with an incredible selection of jewellery by Namkyung Lee.
The young South Korean artist’s work evokes memories clouded by time through small windows moulded into earrings, brooches and necklaces, where nostalgic photographs symbolising the artist’s memories are assembled inside.

The artist has been recognised with important awards at international fairs and events:
JOYA Award 2020 / JOYA Barcelona Art Jewellery & Objects,
Honorable Mention 2020 / New Taipei City International Metal Crafts Competition, Taiwan,
Finalist / Jewellery in Fermento 2020,
AUTOR Award 2019 / JOYA Barcelona Art Jewellery & Objects.