“Kid World” (2021). All images © Seonna Hong, courtesy of Hashimoto Contemporary, shared with permission
In Late Bloomer, Los Angeles-based artist wades into landscapes filled with amorphous swatches of color and marred by climate disaster. Her acrylic, oil, and pastel works are on view through February 5 at in Los Angeles in an introspective solo show that considers her place in an ever-evolving world. Set against abstract, blurred backdrops, Hong’s distinctly rendered animals and anonymous subjects navigate distorted terrains of once-familiar architecture and natural landmarks.
Many of the stylized compositions evoke traditional Korean landscapes from the Joseon period—these are known for their asymmetrical forms, vibrant brushstrokes, and skewed perspectives—that contemplate the human-nature relationship by placing miniature figures among formidable environments. “I’m a second-generation Korean American that is surprised to be making identity-based work but realizing I’ve been making it all along. I’ve spent my entire life between the push and pull of being Korean and American, never feeling quite Korean enough or American enough,” Hong writes . “I’ve realized the inherent connection between my work and my history, a belated but cherished revelation.”
“Granny Square” (2021)
“In The Joseon Period” (2021)
“The View From the Studio” (2021)
“Sunset Stone” (2021)
“Gumball Dystopia” (2021)
“Like Minded” (2021)
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