CHA MYUNG HI 차명희 (SOUTH KOREA, B. 1947)

CHA MYUNG HI 차명희 (SOUTH KOREA, B. 1947)

Memory

1992

Signed and dated

Mixed media on paper

97cm x 67cm (unframed); 121cm x 91cm (framed)

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PROVENANCE:

Gallery Icon, Seoul;

English Private Collection

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LITERATURE:

This work is published in the solo exhibition catalogue from Gallery Icon, Seoul, dated to 1992, please refer to this work illustrated as the second page in the catalogue.

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NOTE:

Works by Cha Myung Hi can be found housed in various museums and institutions inside and outside of South Korea, including two works forming part of the collection of the British Museum.

Cha Myung Hi is a renowned Korean artist and graduate of Seoul National University, where she specialised in traditional Korean painting (dongyanghwa). Despite the conservative nature of Korean academic art, which often emphasizes abstraction and minimalism, she has forged her own path. She broke free from the constraints of these artistic traditions and societal gender norms to develop a distinct style. Her approach features monochromatic acrylic paintings on canvas, using a self-devised technique. Her method involves drawing with charcoal on the canvas before the medium dries, resulting in dynamic, controlled lines that reflect a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.

Her work is deeply influenced by her personal experiences and surroundings, often exploring abstract landscapes that provoke contemplation of the vastness of time and space. Her paintings represent a continuous inquiry into space and form. Throughout her extensive career, she has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, significantly contributing to the development of Korean contemporary art. Her works are celebrated for their emotional resonance and innovative use of materials, challenging traditional boundaries while staying firmly connected to Korea’s artistic heritage.