Sun Young Kang, a South Korean artist based in Western New York, is renowned for her exploration of dualities within human existence—navigating the tangible and intangible, presence and absence, life and death. Her practice spans book arts and installation, creating immersive experiences that invite introspection and emotional engagement. Kang's work often delves into themes of memory and identity, utilizing delicate materials and meticulous craftsmanship to evoke profound contemplation.
In her latest solo exhibition at YI GALLERY, Kang presents a deeply personal and evocative body of work, marking her first one-person-show in New York City. Titled Memories, Veiled, the exhibition presents pieces from the series by the same name and a site-sensitive installation. This is the gallery's final show in its Industry City location before relocating in September 2024.
The Practice of Sun Young Kang
Sun Young Kang's artistic practice is deeply rooted in the exploration of dualities inherent in human existence, examining different realities or worlds both in space and time and the tension between them. Her work often navigates the spaces between life and death, presence and absence, and the physical and the ethereal. By employing mediums such as artist books and large-scale installations, Kang creates immersive environments that invite viewers to contemplate these contrasting states. Her use of delicate materials, such as translucent fabrics, further emphasizes the themes of fragility and impermanence, while her meticulous craftsmanship speaks to a profound respect for the intricacies of memory and the human condition.
Kang's latest exhibition offers a profound exploration of themes such as isolation, uncertainty, and the struggle to understand and be understood through a sophisticated interplay of photography, fabric, and spatial design. Kang's installation utilizes large curtains to partition the gallery space, creating distinct sections that engage viewers both physically and emotionally.
These curtains, made from translucent fabric, serve as barriers that simultaneously reveal and obscure, echoing the themes of visibility and obstruction present in her work. The installation includes a series of small photographs taken during her residency at Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, NY. These images are enveloped in semi-translucent fabric to explore themes of memory and connection, encapsulating the emotional weight and the sense of distance that permeates the exhibition.
Memories, Unveiled
A poignant inspiration for this project is a photograph of Kang's late mother, enveloped in translucent plastic curtains in her bed during her final years. This image becomes a powerful anchor for the exhibition, reflecting the isolation, longing, and confusion her mother experienced, while echoing Kang's own emotional journey and struggles to connect with her mother in this period.
Each photograph from the series, originally captured through the artist's lens, now invites viewers to interpret their own narrative. The recurring motif of the mansion in the photographs symbolizes both intimacy and isolation, laden with histories of grief and yearning for connection. By overlaying the photos with organza, Kang obstructs clear perception, creating a visual metaphor for the elusive nature of memory and the difficulty of accessing clear recollections.
Curtains further complicate the viewer's experience, symbolizing passage and separation, obstructing and suggesting, covering and revealing and inviting contemplation on themes of isolation, uncertainty, and the complexities of human understanding. Viewers are simultaneously inside and outside the scenes depicted, experiencing a shared sense of longing and the struggle to find clarity.
Sun Young Kang at YI GALLERY
This exhibition is a testament to Kang's ability to evoke deep emotional responses and engage viewers in a dialogue that transcends the physicality of the artwork. Transcending the mere display of art, it creates an environment where viewers can engage with the complexities of memory, loss, and the human experience.
The exhibition Memories, Veiled is on view at YI GALLERY in New York until June 29th, 2024.
Featured image: Installation view of Sun Young Kang's Memories, Veiled at YI GALLERY. All images courtesy of the gallery.
