Ilhwa Kim, a prominent figure in the burgeoning sculptural painting movement within contemporary abstract expressionist art, is set to captivate art enthusiasts and collectors alike with her new exhibition, ‘Tactile Hands,’ hosted at HOFA Gallery.
Her distinctive wall sculptures have garnered admiration from discerning art collectors, elevating her status as a leading artist at HOFA. Notably, her artwork ‘Tuner’s Notes’ achieved a record-breaking sale price, selling for three times its estimated value at PHILLIPS Hong Kong, marking a significant milestone in her career.
The ‘Tactile Hands‘ exhibition is scheduled to run for two weeks, from September 29 to October 11, 2023, with an exclusive press preview on September 28 (RSVP only).
HOFA, the pioneering London-based contemporary art gallery, is proud to present Ilhwa Kim’s highly anticipated solo exhibition for 2023. The showcase, which will take place at the gallery’s flagship location on Bruton Street, will feature new works from Kim’s “living architecture” series.
Titled ‘Tactile Hands,’ the exhibition invites viewers to immerse themselves in the intricate details of Kim’s unique sculptural paintings, each composed of tens of thousands of seed units. These seed units are meticulously crafted, with a combination of straight lines and circles that form a miniature universe within each unit. Kim personally dyes sheets of Hanji paper with thousands of different colors, carefully cutting and rolling the paper layers to create rigid structures. Each piece represents a distinct and emotionally connected universe, with no two universes sharing the same shape, appearance, or color.
Since becoming a part of HOFA, Ilhwa Kim’s career has witnessed remarkable growth, driven by the immense appeal of her work. She has hosted solo exhibitions at HOFA, London every year since 2017 and has gained recognition for her large, one-of-a-kind artworks.
Kim’s art has found a place in museums and prominent collections worldwide, and she has made a significant impact in the auction world. Notably, her artwork ‘Tuner’s Notes’ achieved remarkable results when auctioned at PHILLIPS in Hong Kong on November 30, 2022. It sold for three times its estimated price, setting a new benchmark for the value of her pieces and signaling a new phase in her illustrious career.
Kim’s art, which she describes as “seed universes,” “sensory maps,” and “living architectures,” aims to explore the depth and dynamism of sensory experiences on canvas by combining sculpture and painting. She seeks to capture the layered, intertwined, and ever-evolving sensory encounters that occur in a world defined by the infinite possibilities of nature.
Simonida Pavicevic, Gallery Co-founder at HOFA, believes that Ilhwa Kim’s upcoming exhibition is a must-see: “It has been immensely rewarding to witness the steady rise of Ilhwa Kim over the years. We are pleased that collectors and art lovers are taking notice of her unique sculptural paintings, and her upcoming exhibition is a special opportunity to experience her fascinating artworks in person.”
The ‘Tactile Hands‘ exhibition by Ilhwa Kim will be open to the public from September 29 to October 11, 2023, at HOFA Gallery. A press preview will be held on September 28, 2023, and attendance is by RSVP only (email: [email protected]).
