All, Seoul
Yoo Youngkuk
Stand on the Golden Mean
PKMPKM Gallery is pleased to present Yoo Youngkuk: Stand on the Golden Mean, a solo exhibition by Yoo Youngkuk (1916-2002), a pioneer of abstract painting in Korea. The exhibition features 34 oil paintings from the 1950s to the 1980s, including small, previously unreleased works that will be displayed for the first time since the artist’s passing, along with archives that chronicle his trajectory as a painter. Yoo’s aesthetics – established with a solidified inner self and dignity, and remaining steadfast amid the upheavals of his time – will be further highlighted through this show. Yoo, a first-generation Korean abstract painter, developed a unique artistic style by merging traditional Korean perspectives on nature with Western abstract art. Amidst the turbulent history of modern and contemporary Korea, Yoo gained profound insights into the essence of art and life through his observations of nature. He expressed the ever-changing qualities of nature through a distinctive combination of colors and forms that originated from his inner vision. Yoo’s exceptional formative sense, which explores the fundamental order of visible objects and rhythmically transforms nature through a combination of lines, planes, and colors, results in striking images that transcend time. The “golden mean” refers to a state of balance between extremes achieved through constant discipline and moderation. This virtue is evident throughout Yoo’s work. His depiction of mountains conveys both the grandeur and tranquility of nature, while his representation of the quiet and dynamic sea captures the fluidity and immutability of life. The complex yet orderly shapes of forests evoke the harmonious intricacies of both ecosystems and human society. In other words, the various characteristics of the subject appear on his canvas as a unique fusion that retains the individual power of each element. The aesthetics of the “golden mean” are also reflected in the shapes, techniques, and colors of Yoo’s work. Within a meticulously calculated geometric structure, Yoo represented nature in its pure form, while expressing its liveliness through organic contours and expressive brushstrokes. These works leave a bold impression, simultaneously imparting a sensitive and gentle feel. Moreover, his vivid yet refined colors embody a sense of balanced beauty. While Yoo embraced various Western art trends and actively engaged with the art scenes in Japan and Korea, he also developed his own artistic vision, rooted in the nature of his hometown, Uljin, without being swayed by external trends. Despite social and political turmoil, he led an incomparable life of artistic devotion, with an unwavering belief in the power of art. Even with a focus on a single subject – nature – he continuously reinvented his perspective, creating new and profound works every time. Yoo’s art, which has established his own unique artistic view with both firmness and flexibility, carries universal appeal and resonates deeply with those who experience it. After graduating from the Department of Oil Painting at Bunka Gakuin University, Tokyo, in 1938, Yoo Youngkuk led Korean avant-garde art groups such as the Modern Art Association(1957-1958) and SinSang-Hoe(1962-1964), becoming a prominent figure in Korean art history. He held a total of fifteen solo exhibitions before his passing, including his first solo show at the Korea Press Center in 1964 and the Invitational Exhibition(1979) at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung. Yoo was awarded The Best Awards for Work R3(1938) at the 2nd Exhibition of Association of Free Artists, the NAA Awards (Fine Art)(1976), and the Bo-Gwan Order of Cultural Merit(1984). In 2016, a major retrospective was held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. His first debut exhibition in Europe, A Journey to the Infinite: Yoo Youngkuk (Querini Stampalia, 2024. 4. 20 – 11. 24) is currently on view as a Collateral Event of the 60th Venice Biennale, receiving acclaim as one of the best exhibitions in Venice. His works are held in the collections of major institutions such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, and Leeum Museum of Art.