GUIMI YOU

Trained in traditional Korean painting as well as oil painting, Guimi You (b. 1985, Seoul) has developed a unique style that merges both traditions. Her works stand out for their richness and luminosity, celebrating the beauty of natural environments while capturing the peacefulness of everyday life.

In her new paintings, the artist brings enigmatic figures into the background, creating intimate and playful scenes. The vivid color palette and lush vegetation immerse the viewer in a world where dreams and reality seamlessly intertwine. In Blur Coffee (2024), a woman sits alone in a café, lost in thought while holding a cup of coffee. A large mirror reflects the warm, inviting interior, with orange light contrasting the blue natural light from the window. The view outside echoes Lovers and Flowers (2024), capturing a peaceful moment of solitude. The painting is primarily rendered in rich burgundy and muted gray tones. This juxtaposition between the warmth of the interior and the harshness of the exterior underlines the sense of solitude and introspection that permeates the painting. In Sketch in the Morning (2024), a quiet scene unfolds in a small gallery. A vase of lilies of the valley sits amidst various objects and artworks, creating a serene, reflective space. Outside the window, life continues as figures pass by, offering a subtle contrast between the interior stillness and the movement beyond.

One of the exhibition’s standout pieces, Emerald Garden (2024), perfectly illustrates this approach, with landscapes that seem to be in constant evolution, inviting a dynamic perception of nature. The scene depicts her former neighborhood in California, with a strong emerald light shining from behind the figure, making her expression difficult to discern, adding to the sense of mystery and transformation.

Through Unwind, Guimi You reflects on the precious moments of solitude and tranquility she experiences outside the studio. As the artist explains, “The works in this exhibition reflect my real life, ... depicting scenes like traveling, enjoying coffee alone at a café, reading, sketching, and gardening. These moments break free from routine, making each second feel valuable.”

The paintings invite the viewer into these quiet, meaningful moments, offering a window into the artist’s personal world. The exhibition presents a playful game of mise en abyme, where the boundaries between the real and the imaginary blur to create a dreamlike, enchanting space. With this collection, Guimi You seeks to convey calm and comfort, expressing the small joys that arise when we pause, reflect, and unwind in our everyday lives.

— Milena Oldfield, Researcher

Press release courtesy Almine Rech - Text: Milena Oldfield, researcher