Flowcatching

- By Kim Yeon-hye (Senior Curator at Gallery Sein) -

Sensing the Energy of Nature

Artist Shin Seung-hee practices "contemplation, gazing for a long time" to capture the pure energy of nature. Through the artwork, we adopt the attitude of the artist's contemplation of nature. While facing the artwork, we momentarily discard unnecessary thoughts and concentrate on that pure energy.

The artist's work emanates a deep and tranquil breath, an effortless serenity, and an unexaggerated, pure feeling. The process of experiencing the artwork is akin to the contemplative time during meditation.

The artist's paintings possess a lingering power. The gradual permeation of colors onto the canvas imparts a sense of calmness. The canvas itself is unique—made by mixing white clay with traditional Jeonju paper and allowing it to mature for a month. It is then layered onto a plaster plate, repeatedly applied, and fired at high temperatures. The subtle texture of the clay and the grain of the paper give a different sensation compared to regular canvases. The meeting of the ceramic canvas and the overlaid blue hues enhances naturalness to the fullest.

The artist's paintings predominantly depict natural landscapes. The paintings flow narratively. The artist articulates the essence by expressing the positive energy and authenticity of nature, devoid of provocative elements. They emanate through silence, naturally evoking a meditative and contemplative observation of present life. The artworks provide a serene and primal resonance in the process of communicating with the viewer.

Blue - 'The Color that Approaches Essence'

The artist's repetitive technique of using cobalt pigment, flowing and cascading, aims to express the essence of the artist's innermost being, the essence of the world, and the energy of nature.

The artist meticulously considers composition and arrangement, each element carefully deliberated and completed. Such deliberation may not manifest in flamboyance or grandiosity but allows focus on the energy of nature through simplicity and modesty. To convey the energy emanating from nature, the artist eliminates all unnecessary colors in the process of seeking essence, leaving only blue. following the flow of cobalt blue within the artist's work leads to a purification of the mind and a sense of tranquility and peace.

Flowcatching - 'What Art aims to Achieve'

Having traveled for over 20 years, the artist experienced tranquility and replenished energy in nature. Reflecting on "the changes nature's energy brings to us and what that energy means to us," the artist pondered how to express this in her work. The exploration of nature's energy, particularly gravity, began. Through silently observing the grandeur of nature, it became evident that, unless influenced by other forces, most objects descend due to gravity. Viewing gravity as the most comforting yet influential force in nature, the concept of 'Flow' originated.

A dreamcatcher symbolically catches nightmares and delivers good dreams. In her artwork, the artist hopes to dispel the complexities of daily life through the flexibility and harmony of natural flow. Hence, the theme of this exhibition is named 'Flowcatching.' Drawing positive energy from nature, the artist aims to convey it through art. Therefore, the question of "what can be achieved through art? What can an artist's life contribute?" can be answered with 'Flowcatching.'

Meditation facing Nature

- By Ahn Hyun-jung (Art Critic, Doctor of Art Philosophy) -

Artist Shin Seung-hee is on a journey to create her own artistic world while skillfully integrating traditional craftsmanship and contemporary art. The flow technique in her work naturally mixes cobalt and water, providing meditation and healing to those who see it.

The natural blue settled on the earth evokes a feeling as if the breath of the mountain has been condensed.

The peaceful works realized through meditation transport viewers to a certain point on the actual Blue Mountain within the tranquility and inner harmony.

Like receiving beneficial energy when placed in a forest or nature, the artist's narrative of positivity resonates with the natural aesthetic of "虛實相生 (the coexistence of emptiness and fullness),“

where water overflows when full and vessels are filled when empty.

The landscapes melted on ceramics depict both space and image, substance and illusion, embodying the process of daydreaming.

For Shin Seung-hee, creating art is a process of both personal growth and reflecting upon one's inner self as if gazing into a mirror. Immersed in her work, she relinquishes desires and embraces the true essence of nature, discovering herself within the realm of blanc sensibility and embracing others.