Mellow Island: Simon Ko
SEOJUNG ART SEOUL is delighted to welcome the start of spring with Mellow Island, a solo exhibition by Simon Ko, running from March 15 to April 21, 2024. WIth equal emphasis on narrative and the act of painting itself, the works in Mellow Island are a meditation on growth and maturity prompted by the tribulations from engaging in a relationship. Ko’s distinctive portrayal of figures and the equally unique texture of his canvases reflect the myriad emotions born from his experiences. In this exhibition, the turbulent emotions that stem from love and doubt unfurl their flags and set sail toward the imaginary shores of Mellow Island.
In an effort to expand upon the themes brought forth in his earlier exhibitions, the artist has attempted to create a mythology: Mellow Island is an unattainably distant and elusive isle of fantasy, one that no amount of rowing can ever reach. There are stories about how those who attempt the journey are transformed, each in their own way. Thus, the journey could never end in failure; even if one never finds the Island.
Simon Ko transforms everyday moments into extraordinary experiences. Mundane activities like visiting a shop to buy furniture, reminiscing about a failed party preparation, or spending a day in a hotel room while traveling are elevated to deeply intimate and significant facets of daily life. The artist reimagines these common moments with vividness, weaving reality with fantasy. Ko’s work juxtaposes factual scenarios with imaginative scenes and crafts textures that accentuate its tactility, evoking a multi-sensory experience. Moreover, his compositions, while open to the use of multiple modes of perspective, honor the inherent flatness of painting, creating an impression of adherence to the medium's planarity. Ko’s approach blurs all boundaries, provoking a desire to uncover the narratives within and around his pieces, drawing viewers deeper into the depicted stories and relationships within.
Mellow Island extends an invitation into Simon Ko's expanding world, presenting universally relatable situations that gradually guide the audience into a realm of fantasy. At the exhibition's entrance, a captivating wall painting crafted with modeling paste and acrylic -a technique characteristic of Ko's unique textural expression- propels the image beyond the confines of the canvas. Sculpted figures within this space appear to momentarily step out of the paintings for a brief respite, imbuing the scene with a sense of urgency. The expansive, swirling brushstrokes hint at a challenging journey, yet prime the audience for complete immersion in the artist's envisioned fantasy. The thought of embarking on a journey aboard Ko’s precarious boat embodies a blend of beauty and fear, capturing what is simultaneously fragile and brave.
