Arario Gallery is pleased to present Storm is Coming, a solo exhibition—comprised of new works, which include 15 paintings and 23 collages— by AHN Jisan (b. 1979). Most of the objects that artist AHN Jisan portray are placed in a specific setting set by the artist. The anxiety eroded by the situation hides behind various objects, secretly revealing their presence. When one fully faces this anxiety, they will finally be able to appreciate AHN's works. In the exhibition Storm is Coming, the special setting the artist bestows is the 'storm'. The artist portrays or assumes the imminent approach of the storm or depicts a situation set amidst the storm, and the clouds, and stone mountain as well as the figure Mary represented by the artist expresses human being's innate anxiety. Rather than solely concentrating on the description of the subjects, the artist focuses on depicting a specific setting and the emotions that arise from the situations the subjects are placed. The artist's works continuously entail such emotions in his paintings but whereas the previous works depicted mostly enclosed spaces, the new works of this exhibition emphasize the expression of the emotions of the subjects on a wide open space.
The artist's landscape works specially focuses on clouds. This is because of the influence 17th century Dutch paintings had on the artist, but also closely related to his ruthless obsession on the depiction of clouds. Hence the clouds represent the artist's ever changing anxiety and desire. The lively versatility of the clouds and their continuously metamorphosing shapes express the anxiety the theme 'storm' entails. The cloud serves as a subject of observation as well as a symbol of anxiety. The artist dexterously merges his personal desire and humane anxiety. In this sense, the storm is not only a natural phenomenon, but a representation of all possible human, social, political situation. The metaphorical representation of the anxious human being – the bird, cane, and wolf – comes and goes through the series, highlighting the tension amidst an unsettling situation. Also, Marie, who is significantly emphasized throughout the exhibition, reveals the existential anxiety of the human being by their poignant gaze, kindly inviting the viewers to face these emotions.
AHN Jisan has held solo exhibitions at Arario Gallery (Korea) in 2021, Galerie Bart (The Netherlands) in 2020, Johyun Gallery (Korea) in 2018, Zaha Museum (Korea) in 2017, Hapjungjigu (Korea) in 2016, and Galerie Bart (The Netherlands) in 2015-2014. He also participated in a group exhibition at Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art (Korea), MMCA (Korea) in 2020, Savina Museum (Korea) in 2019, Kunsthalle Münster (Germany) in 2018, Daegu Art Museum (Korea) in 2017, ARKO Art Center (Korea) in 2016 and Gallery LUMC (The Netherlands) in 2016. He participated in a residency at Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten (The Netherlands) in 2013-2014, and won the Buning Brongers Prijzen (The Netherlands) in 2014.
ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL opened its doors in Sogyeok-dong in 2006. Since then, it has established its foothold as a leading contemporary art gallery in Korea and across Asia, continuing to be at the forefront of the international art scene through its efficient representation system and bold exhibitions. In March 2014, ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL relocated near the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. In April 2018, ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL RYSE HOTEL, a second exhibition space in Seoul, opened in the Hongdae area. Running concurrently with its primary location until November 2019, the project space aimed to mirror the experimental spirit of the neighbourhood through its innovative programming. In 2022, ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL ended its Sogyeok-dong era. However, the various experimentation and ventures carried out in the gallery's previous spaces continue to shape its future at its current location in Wonseo-dong, which reopened in February 2023. Through the preemptive discovery of young artists, steady support of represented artists, and the realisation of meaningful and original exhibitions, ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL aims to continually grow and contribute to the growth of the contemporary art scene in Korea.
