Artist Shin Hong-jik, who is drawing attention in the domestic art market, is holding his exhibition ‘Naked, Yet Embraced’ at Gallery Eun in Insa-dong, Seoul. This exhibition is designed not merely to introduce his artwork, but as an important occasion to showcase artist Shin Hong-jik’s artistic world and market competitiveness to domestic and international collectors and art professionals. It is particularly anticipated as a first step towards full-scale entry into the overseas market through an official agency contract with the Arts and Culture Research Institute.
A Message Towards the Inner Self, exhibition ‘Naked, Yet Embraced’
Artist Shin Hong-jik’s exhibition ‘Naked, Yet Embraced’ will be held from Wednesday, April 29th to Monday, May 4th at Gallery Eun, located on Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The exhibition’s opening ceremony will take place on April 29th at 6 PM, and artwork can be viewed daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. This exhibition serves not only general visitors but also as a promotional show for collectors, domestic and international gallery representatives, art experts, and art investors, broadly showcasing artist Shin Hong-jik’s artistic world and market competitiveness.
The exhibition title ‘Naked, Yet Embraced’ contains a profound message directed at the inner self of modern people. Artist Shin Hong-jik states, “We fear being exposed. Because we believe that the moment we are revealed, we will be judged and hurt,” paradoxically expressing modern people’s anxiety about others’ gazes and judgments. However, the artist simultaneously emphasizes, “One cannot fully connect while hidden. Neither with others nor with oneself,” asserting that the process of revealing and embracing oneself is essential for forming genuine relationship and achieving self-understanding.
The artist’s philosophy is deeply connected to his artwork world. He candidly expresses his inner self in his artwork, encouraging viewers to confront their own emotions through it. This exhibition is thus expected to pose universal human emotions and fundamental questions of existence, offering viewers an opportunity for introspection beyond mere visual experience.
Artist Shin Hong-jik’s Unique formative language technique Exploring the Essence of Painting
Artist Shin Hong-jik is regarded as an artist who has explored the essence of painting based on the clear belief that “a painting should be like a painting.” Even in modern society, where image consumption is prevalent, he firmly upholds the unique materiality and vitality that only painting can possess. He transfers moments of inspiration felt and observed in nature onto the canvas, focusing on conveying warm emotions within a free and vibrant artistic world beyond merely reproducing subjects.
His artwork is characterized by intense colors, thick impasto technique, and dynamic touches using knives and hands. This unique formative language technique evokes a clear figurative image when viewed from afar, but as one approaches, colors and materials dissolve, creating a distinct visual experience where another abstract world unfolds. This makes his artworks not merely objects to be seen, but ‘events to be experienced’ through interaction with the viewer.
Artist Shin Hong-jik’s main themes encompass various subjects from nature and life, such as landscapes, figures, and still life, but he is not bound by specific materials. He places greater emphasis on how to embody his own painterly sense of form through the subject, rather than simply what he paints. This approach is the driving force behind his artworks constantly evoking new interpretations and emotions.
Collaboration with Arts and Culture Research Institute, a springboard for Global sale Leap
In conjunction with the holding of this exhibition, artist Shin Hong-jik signed an official agency contract with the Arts and Culture Research Institute, establishing a strategic partnership for future active domestic and international activities. Led by Art Director Kim Jong-won, the Arts and Culture Research Institute has successfully planned various projects, including the 2025 APEC KOREA K-Art Special Exhibition and the Art-tainer collaboration Project MOTHFLY exhibition, proving its excellent exhibition planning capabilities and market expansion potential. This agency contract is drawing attention in the art world as a new case where their experience is expanding into artist management.
Artist Shin Hong-jik boasts high popularity and proven marketability in the domestic market, consistently ranking among the top in sale at major domestic art fairs such as KIAF and ART BUSAN. As an artist who has secured both a stable collector base and public recognition, this agency contract with the Arts and Culture Research Institute is expected to serve as a crucial bridgehead for advancing into overseas markets beyond Korea.
Art Director Kim Jong-won evaluated artist Shin Hong-jik as “a contemporary painter who creates new layers of sensation, material, and time within the artistic world,” adding, “Based on his already proven high marketability and popularity in Korea, we anticipate he will be sufficiently competitive on the international stage. This exhibition will be the starting point,” expressing strong confidence in the artist’s potential for global development.
This exhibition ‘Naked, Yet Embraced’ is an opportunity to deeply encounter artist Shin Hong-jik’s unique artistic world and is expected to be a significant starting point for his artworks to create an even greater impact in both domestic and international art markets. All eyes are on artist Shin Hong-jik’s future endeavors as he, through the strategic partnership with the Arts and Culture Research Institute, prepares to introduce the power of Korean contemporary painting to the world.
