Blank Space Show 2024

Jose Margulis creates 3-D compositions and objects digitally, then slices them out of various plastic sheet materials. After that, these slices are either held together in space or affixed to a hard canvas or pedestal.

In the majority of his pieces, a variety of colors, graphic patterns, textures, and photographic images are directly printed on acrylic sheets with varying degrees of translucency. His natural preference for vivid, highly saturated color schemes is greatly influenced by traditional Mexican art. By applying or "pouring" light into his three-dimensional objects, Jose reveals their designs completely, treating them as light traps or secret blueprints. By following a 3-D pattern, light functions as the ink that displays the design.

Seoul-based Korean artist Euijin Kim's work examines the emotional effects of light and how it interacts with a private, intimate creative process. His art explores the ways in which visual crystallizations created in this way interact with viewers and with himself to communicate and build relationships. Themes of empathy, healing, and recovery are at the heart of his investigation.

Kim uses Eastern materials like hanji (traditional Korean paper) and relief collage techniques to convey these ideas. His path started with the creation of simple structures, emphasizing change and harmony via the tasteful interaction of horizontal and vertical components.

Acrylic on museum board
32 x 35 in
81.3 x 88.9 cm

Seunghwui Koo is an artist known for her intricate, colorful sculptures that blend playful whimsy with insightful social commentary. She creates tiny figurines of pigs, or “piggies,” using materials such as resin, plaster, and clay. These figurines are carefully painted with satirical imagery, creating a visually striking effect that is both vibrant and detailed. Koo’s work invites viewers into a world where bright colors and intricate details engage the eye, while the underlying themes challenge societal norms and values.

 

Koo’s art cleverly merges Eastern and Western cultural symbols. In Eastern cultures, pigs are considered symbols of wealth and good fortune, while in Western culture, they often represent greed and excess. This contrast allows Koo to explore the complexities of human nature and societal values, offering a subtle critique of modern life. Her works provoke thought about materialism, cultural differences, and the dualities inherent in human behavior, making her sculptures not only visually captivating but also rich in meaning.

Randall Stoltzfus is an artist whose abstract paintings feature hand-painted circles to create luminous and vivid landscapes with both figurative and abstract elements. He uses oil paint and mixed media such as gold leaf and aluminum to create color and movement, manipulating contrast to express light. Stoltzfus's meticulous technique of painting hundreds of circles by hand reveals patterns that are special to the eye and immerses the viewer into a surreal visual experience.

As Yoo Hyun evolves his artistic practice, he has developed a new technique of spraying and dripping liquid onto untreated fabric. This method allows him to explore spatial concepts and geometric structures found in urban landscapes, such as the bold lines of buildings, the rhythmic patterns of road grids, and the delicate interplay of light and shadow on cracked asphalt. His works, infused with these urban elements, create dynamic compositions that capture the essence of contemporary city life.

 

In addition to this innovative technique, Yoo Hyun incorporates hanji, a traditional Korean paper made from mulberry bark, into his work. Known for its strength and durability, hanji has been used for centuries in Korean art and craft. By using this material, Yoo Hyun not only enhances the intricacy of his pieces but also reaffirms his dedication to preserving and continuing the legacy of Korean cultural heritage in his contemporary artistic practice.

Heekyung Kim is an artist who uses thousands of layers of stacked hanji paper to make relief sculptures. Her paintings frequently experiment with the harmony between abstraction and representation, drawing inspiration from nature, especially the forms and textures of flowers and waves. Because of her special method, Kim is able to create dynamic, three-dimensional surfaces that capture the motion and energy of her subjects. These surfaces are then used to create contemplative settings in her contemplation series.

With a special fondness for Van Gogh, Kyuhak Lee has dedicated his career to perfecting the craft of re-creating and re-imagining famous pieces from art history. In order to do this, Lee employs a special technique known as mixed-media mosaic, in which the building blocks of his assemblages are strips of Polystyrene or Styrofoam, which are then wrapped in magazines and newspapers before being covered with a layer of hanji, a traditional handmade Korean paper. The finished piece, which is suggestive of but very different from his inspiration, is then assembled from these strips piece by piece.

Car paint on steel
59 x 27 1/2 x 27 1/2 in
149.9 x 69.8 x 69.8 cm

Steel, car paint
19 1/4 x 13 3/4 x 23 1/4 in
48.9 x 34.9 x 59.1 cm

Boree Hur is a Korean painter who explores the deep relationship between humans and the natural world, particularly through the lens of flowers. Having lived and worked on Jeju Island, Hur has developed a strong connection with the island's vibrant, resilient plant life, which she uses to reflect human experience. Her work seeks to capture the healing and relatable qualities of flowers, with her canvases often bursting with energy and color.

 

Hur’s focus on healing is influenced by the Korean philosophy of Pulmeong (풀멍), which promotes holistic living through coexistence with plants in both outdoor and domestic spaces. The explosive nature of her floral works speaks to the shared vulnerability between flowers and humans, conveying the fragility and strength inherent in both. Through her art, Hur highlights the emotional resonance of nature and its ability to nurture and heal.