 City Gray by Young-Sook Park
After first peering at Downtown Contemporary Art Center’s latest exhibition, which features the work of two Korean artists—Young-Sook Park and Soo-Young Hong Kim—I realized that the similarities the two artists share are important. They are both Korean and both reside in New Mexico, a place that has certainly influenced their work over time. However, apart from their medium, they couldn’t be more different. Soo-Young’s subject of choice is flowers, though a brilliant self-portrait, painted in 1961, is currently hanging at DCAC. Vivid, bold representations of mostly orchids are either presented with more realism, richness and depth, or two-dimensionally and abstract, to the point where circles pass for flowers. The balance and interplay she creates with pieces like Late Summer and Garden Song are striking. And the sheer exuberance of her color palette itself is what sets Soo-Young’s paintings apart from your standard still life.
“Color has been a source of happiness and joy for me,” Soo-Young says
in an artist statement, “I have fond memories of my mother teaching me
about colors through sewing fabrics. It was a simple time, yet these
memories are very dear to me and impact my artwork to this day. I can
truly say that my use of vibrant colors keeps me young at heart.”
 Garden Song Orange by Soo-Young Hong Kim
Also on display are a few of Soo-Young’s less flowery paintings, one of
which, Afternoon, is the only other piece that includes a figure. Hues
of green overwhelm these particular pieces and still apparent is her
keen eye for placement.
By contrast, Young-Sook’s pieces are mostly landscapes, but not of the
variety we might be used to in the Southwest. Her Taos Pueblo manages
to bring new life and a foreign perspective to a subject that has been
interpreted by just about every aspiring local artist. Likewise,
whether she it’s a canvas of a New Mexico church or an Italian canal,
it’s Young-Sook’s unique impressionist approach that remains a constant
throughout her work—a sign of an accomplished and confident artist.
DCAC has consistently proven itself as the perfect venue for
contemporary art in Albuquerque. The second story space gives the feel
of a more metropolitan city and director Joshua Franco has brought in
many internationally lauded artists (such as Young-Sook and Soo-Young)
and has opened his spece up to local artists as well, challenging the
local arts community to step up its game. If you have yet to pay DCAC a
visit, the current exhibition is the perfect opportunity.
Young-Sook Park and Soo-Young Hong Kim
Opening Reception
5-9p, Fri., Aug 11
Downtown Contemporary Art Center
105 Fourth SW, 242.1983
downtowncontemporaryartcenter.com
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