Most art ‘schools’ or movements, mini and major, fire, fizzle and fade rapidly. An initial burst of creative energy soon dissipates; there is tension and splintering and key players move on to other things. Some though show more staying power, the artists involved convinced that their mission and methods remain vital and relevant.
A new show at Paris’ Galerie Perrotin looks at the foundation, remarkably long-life and continuing influence of Korea’s Origin school, and particularly the work of three founder members Choi Myoung-Young, Suh Seung-Won and Lee Seung-Jio.
All were born in the early 1940s, studied at Hongik University in Seoul and lived through the end of the Japanese occupation (just about), the Korean War and the April Revolution of 1960. Founded in 1962, the Origin school responded to this turmoil with an insistence on a cool, controlled and system-based abstraction. After the hot and high emotion of the Korean take on abstract expressionism, Choi, Suh and Lee were determined, as the name suggests, on going back to basics and developing their own creative constraints.
Instead of using a brush, Choi Myoung-Young paints with his fingers, making thousands of repeated fingerprints, each impression unique, creating regular but pulsing patterns. Suh Seung-Won sends coloured triangles, squares and diamond shapes spinning across and off the canvas. Lee Seung-Jio meanwhile plays, to hypnotic effect, with repeating perfectly rendered cylinders, or buzzing neon tubes. In all three the emphasis is on both reason and repetition, on meditative process and effect.
All were born in the early 1940s, studied at Hongik University in Seoul and lived through the end of the Japanese occupation (just about), the Korean War and the April Revolution of 1960. Pictured: exhibition view, showing works by Lee Seung-Jio
Instead of using a brush, Choi Myoung-Young paints with his fingers, making thousands of repeated fingerprints. Pictured: exhibition view, showing works by Choi Myong-Young
Pictured left: Sign of Equality 75–52, by Choi Myong-Young, 1975. Right: Sign of Equality 75–51, by Choi Myong-Young, 1975
After the hot and high emotion of the Korean take on abstract expressionism, Choi, Suh and Lee were determined, as the name suggests, on going back to basics and developing their own creative constraints. Pictured: exhibition view, showing works by Suh Seung-Won
Suh Seung-Won sends coloured triangles, squares and diamond shapes spinning across and off the canvas. Pictured: exhibition view, showing works by Suh Seung-Won
Pictured left: Simultaneity 88–910, by Suh Seung-Won, 1988. Right: Simultaneity 89–68, by Suh Seung-Won, 1989
Lee Seung-Jio plays, to hypnotic effect, with repeating perfectly rendered cylinders, or buzzing neon tubes. Pictured: exhibition view, showing works by Lee Seung-Jio
Pictured left: Nucleus 78–23, by Lee Seung-Jio, 1978. Right: Nucleus 85–1, by Lee Seung-Jio, 1985
INFORMATION
’Origin: Choi Myoung-Young, Lee Seung-Jio and Suh Seung-Won’ is on view until 27 February. For more information, visit Galerie Perrotin’s website
ADDRESS
Galerie Perrotin
76 rue de Turenne
75003 Paris
-
Unboxing beauty products from 2024, as seen on the pages of Wallpaper*Wallpaper's 2024 beauty picks included Chanel lipstick, Bottega Veneta perfume and solid soap from the likes of Aesop, Celine, Diptyque, Hermès and Sisley
-
The cosiest alpine retreats to book in EuropeBrowse the Wallpaper* edit of European alpine retreats where to fully embrace the ski season
-
The innovations and eccentricities coming soon from the Chinese auto industryChina accounts for 75 per cent of new EVs, and new models arrive on a weekly basis. Here are some of the key brands looking to reshape the automotive landscape in the years to come
-
As Paris begins to reopen, Perrotin introduces a series of spirited cooperative exhibitionsIn the name of solidarity, Perrotin has invited 26 Parisian galleries to take part in four consecutive presentations in its Saint-Claude space
-
Perrotin releases Maurizio Cattelan banana t-shirts to benefit hunger-relief charityProfits from each sale will go towards Feeding South Florida, a food bank serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties
-
Daniel Arsham’s eroded relics are rooted in classical sculptureThe New York-based artist turns back time for an exhibition of crystallised busts, friezes and sculptures at Galerie Perrotin in Paris
-
Lee Bae’s fascination with charcoal continues to burn brightThe South Korean artist explores charcoal for an exhibition at Galerie Perrotin’s New York outpost
-
Barry McGee sheds light on ‘the other side’ of Hong KongThe San Francisco-based artist incorporates an eclectic array of media for his first exhibition with Perrotin, from painted surfboards to hand-thrown ceramics, obsolete television sets and found objects sourced during his stay in the city
-
A double bill of Bernard Frize hits all the right notesIt’s been over a decade since the artist last exhibited in France. Now, a duo of Paris exhibitions at Perrotin and Centre Pompidou are casting his four decades-long painting practice in a new light
-
Perrotin Shanghai art gallery opens with Wim Delvoye exhibition -
Jean-Michel Othoniel’s elemental artworks are creating the perfect storm in New York
