Seong Joon Hong – [Study layers]

Under the title [Study layers], 68projects by KORNFELD is pleased to present works by the Korean artist Seong Joon Hong, created during his summer 2023 residency in Berlin. In his works, the artist updates the legacy of Hanji, traditional Korean paper. Tradition and innovation merge in his images, forming a narrative about the intricate aspects of life. Seong Joon Hong’s art serves as an intense reflection of our own complex layers and vibrant colors.

Hanji, the traditional Korean paper, is more than just a medium; it is a Korean cultural treasure with a long tradition and remarkable versatility. The elaborate manufacturing process involves at least 100 steps, giving Hanji its durability as well as breathable and waterproof properties. With a unique structure characterized by fibers and inclusions, each sheet becomes one of a kind. The diversity of Hanji can be seen as a metaphor for life itself. The challenges of production and the variations in color and structure symbolize the complexity of human existence. In this exhibition, Hanji is presented not only as an artistic medium, but also as a reflection of our own layered identities and vibrant inner worlds. It invites viewers to engage with their own reflection, shape it, and recognize the beauty of diversity.

In the [Study layers] series, Seong Joon Hong focuses on visualizing primers and paint layers on canvas. Layers serve as a fundamental element in his practice, allowing viewers to gain deeper insight into the essence of his art. He considers memories to be the “paper” of his works—like a skin that becomes lighter from layer to layer. This metaphor illustrates the fragility of memory, which can be erased or worn away just as easily as a disappearing layer.

Seong Joon Hong, born in Seoul in 1987, gained public recognition in 2017 as one of the “10 Contemporary Korean Artists” selected by Christie’s Hong Kong. He completed his bachelor’s degree in painting at Hongik University in Seoul in 2012 and earned his master’s degree in 2015. The artist lives and works in Seoul. His solo and group exhibitions include Enfolding the Air (2023), Gazing Between Layers (2022), and Flowing Layer (2022). His works have been shown at international art fairs and auctions, including Christie’s Hong Kong exhibition Natural Selection (2017). In 2020, he received the Publicart Magazine Award for NEW HERO.