Homophone at Paris Koh Fine Arts 9/4-10/15/2024

Homophone

Paris Koh Fine Arts (201 Bridge Plaza North, Fort Lee, NJ) is proud to present a group exhibition Homophone: Pam Cooper, Sophia Chizuco, Kyung Han Kim, Gianluca Bianchino, Minah Park, Jin Mateo Kim, curated by 3 women curators: Jeanne Brasile, Paris Suechung Koh, and Sooa Lim. This exhibition will run Sept. 4-30, 2024, with an opening reception on Wednesday, Sep 4th from 6-8 pm.

The exhibition features three women curators, each selecting a homophonic word – a word that sounds the same but has different meanings. The selected words span English, Korean, and Chinese, offering a diverse linguistic perspective. Each curator's chosen word serves as the basis for two artists to create works that explore the contrasting meanings of the word. The exhibition visually expresses the dual meanings of these homophones, highlighting the complex layers of language through artistic interpretation.

Curator Jeanne Brasile: Peace and Piece

Sophia Chizuco (Peace) and Gianluca Bianchino (Piece)

Both Sophia Chizuco (peace) and Gianluca Bianchino (piece) were participants in New York Foundation for the Arts’ Immigrant Artist Program. Both artists are graduates, and later became mentors, of this program. Their colorful abstract paintings are complementary yet provide contrasts with Chizuco’s organic shapes and Bianchino’s hard-edged geometric approach.

Gianluca Bianchino’s work comprises literal and depicted bits of wood and other detritus that relate to his interest in science, technology, and exploration. These surrealistic paintings also draw on his childhood experience of relocating unexpectedly to America after an earthquake razed his village in Italy. The multiplanar and indeterminate spaces are disorienting – a fusion of architecture and nature that evokes plate tectonics while metaphorically addressing the lives that were fractured by the force of the earthquake.

Sophia Chizuco’s abstract paintings consist of densely packed circles drawing inspiration from the Zen concept of Enso. For her, this circle symbolizes life, the sun, light, spirit, peace, infinity, interminability, perfection, and continuance. Each stroke within the circle tells a story, reflecting the interconnectedness of her experiences and the enduring influence of her roots in the Japanese countryside.

Curator Suechung Paris Koh: Back & 백 白 ( [bæk]: White)

Pam Cooper (Back) and Kyunghan Kim (백 白: White)

“Back” and “백(白)” may come from English and Korean, but they share the same pronunciation and each carry multiple meanings. In English, the adjective "back" refers to something "at the rear" or "located behind something," while in Korean, “백(白)” means “white.” The works of the two artists express these concepts of "back" and “백(白).”

Pam Cooper's work has been deeply influenced by social issues for the past fifteen years. Her use of antique-colored paper, rust, and drawings evokes a sense of the past, yet the themes she addresses are very contemporary. Cooper's concept of "back" explores the deeper, often overlooked aspects behind societal issues. Paper houses with peep-through windows comment on the detrimental effects of social media, questioning the safety of children from online predators and bullying. Cooper's work is crafted from handmade Abaca paper, known for its strength while remaining thin and translucent. Each piece is meticulously made to fit the project's needs, with rusty pins, hand stitching, glue, and wire used to provide structure and stability. Larger works are supported by metal frameworks.

Kyung Han Kim's recent artwork, The Drawing, uses the concept of "white" as both a literal and symbolic element to explore the impact of prejudice on individual identity and values. By meticulously stitching with dyed white thread on a white canvas that has been naturally dyed, Kim visually represents the subtle and often overlooked biases that shape our perceptions. Through cut-and-paste techniques from media, transformed into needlecraft, he turns everyday prejudices into idealized forms, challenging viewers to reflect on the pervasive nature of prejudice. The use of white, often associated with purity and neutrality, contrasts with the underlying complexities of prejudice, creating a space for dialogue and critical thought. Kim's work ultimately aims to foster a more nuanced understanding of prejudice and promote meaningful communication.

Curator Sooa Lim: 선 善 [sʰʌn]: virtue and 선 線 [sʰʌn]: wire

Jin Mateo Kim (선 善: virtue)  and Minah Park (선 線: wire)

Jin Mateo Kim explores the theme of ‘선 善’ - which in Korean means virtue, pronounced in ‘Seon’ as it relates to the negotiation between the self and the other, particularly within the context of post-war alternative culture and the history of canine domestication. Through her art, Kim delves into the subhuman experience of being marginalized, challenging the boundaries of identity and control. The absence of the marginalized subject, suspended within the visible structures of the work, embodies the virtue of resilience and the relentless pursuit of becoming more 'human' in the face of dehumanization. Kim encourages viewers to contemplate the virtue of perseverance, the delicate balance between comfort and discomfort, and stability and instability while navigating the complexities of identity and belonging. Based in New York, she will graduate from an MFA program at Hunter College of Art at the City University of New York this year.

Minah Park delves into the intricate relationship between control, the body, and the digital realm, using the concept of ‘선 線’ - which in Korean means something linear, like lines or wire - as both a literal and metaphorical element in her work. By employing tangled wires, stretched lines, and interconnected circuits, Park examines how the body interacts with the digital realm, highlighting the tension and fragility of these connections. Her work reflects on the wired nature of modern life and questions whether digital devices offer true control or merely conceal an underlying emptiness. Through her art, Park challenges viewers to navigate the blurred boundaries between the physical and digital, control and chaos.

Based in New York, she holds an MFA from Hunter College of Art at the City University of New York.

For More Information:

Paris Koh Fine Arts, 201 Bridge Plaza North, Fort Lee, NJ 07024

Pariskohfinearts.com   201 724 7077   pariskohfinearts@gmail.com

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat 11-6    Sun - Tue; by appointment only