EVENT DESCRIPTION
In our increasingly technology-driven society, where the rapid pace of progress often overshadows the gentle whispers of nature, a compelling voice emerges, demanding to be heard. Villepin is delighted to present an exhibition showcasing the visionary works of Myonghi Kang—a powerful call to reconnect with the very essence of our existence.
Taking inspiration from esteemed masters throughout art history such as J.M.W. Turner, Gustave Courbet, and Paul Cézanne, while embracing the spirit of traditional Chinese painters, Kang’s art transcends the boundaries of time and culture. Through each brushstroke, she weaves a narrative that immerses us in the ethereal beauty of the natural world, inviting us to re-establish our connection with a realm we have grown distant from.
This ground-breaking exhibition unveils Kang’s latest works, a visual symphony that draws attention to the hidden splendor of Hong Kong, Taipei, and many other natural landscapes around the world. Amidst the bustling city, Kang’s canvases reveal serene streams, tranquil reservoirs, and idyllic villages that lie forgotten beneath towering buildings. Her art serves as both a testament to nature’s resilience and a heartfelt plea for us to pay closer attention to its delicate existence.
Kang’s artistic exploration goes beyond mere representation. She skillfully employs a harmonious interplay of oil and pastels, along with delicate watercolor strokes, creating a gateway to a realm where truth and beauty converge. Through her art, our senses are reawakened to the wonders that surround us, igniting our imagination and beckoning us to embrace a more profound connection with our environment.
The transformative power of Kang’s art extends beyond the canvas and permeates the very space that houses her masterpieces. That is why, in alignment with Villepin’s philosophy of integrating space and painting, architecture and art, we have embarked on a radical metamorphosis. Drawing inspiration from the visionary style of Catalonian architect Ricardo Bofill, Villepin encourages visitors to reimagine the art-viewing experience and interact with the artworks in a setting that combines playful innovation with profound contemplation. This fusion of Bofill’s architectural influence and Kang’s artistic expressions creates a synergy that revitalizes the gallery experience, breaking free from stagnation.
ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER
Myonghi Kang’s (b. 1947, Daegu, South Korea) vibrant cosmic paintings project a pure sensibility without boundaries. Through her canvases, the artist expresses a view of the natural world that vacillates between emptiness and profusion in myriad manifestations of colors, marks, and shapes. Myonghi has divided her time between South Korea and France for much of her life. She studied Fine Arts at the College of Fine Arts, Seoul National University. Myonghi immigrated to France in 1972.After a few years in the French capital, she started painting the urban street scenes of Paris and the surrounding nature when she moved to Quai de la Loire in the 1980s. After Myonghi started exhibiting her ethereal paintings, she befriended renowned artists, poets, and writers, including Zao Wou-Ki, Piotr Kowalski, Gilles Aillaud, Alain Jouffroy and Dominique de Villepin. Her works gained widespread recognition in the late 1980s following several international solo exhibitions and poetry recitals, including shows at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris (1986), the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul (1989), and Beijing Art Museum of Imperial City in China (2011). In 1981, she and her husband Setaik were the founders of the Musée de Séoul in Seoul, the first Museum of Art in South Korea. The artist also participated in the exhibition and symposium Devant, le futur, as part of the World Expo held in Daejeon, South Korea in 1993.
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