For Frieze London 2019, Gallery Baton proudly presents a curated group exhibition of five artists, titled Beyond Materiality, including Koh San Keum, Bin Woo Hyuk, Suzanne Song, Jinnie Seo and Max Frisinger who employ unique materials which transform into and function as new entities.
In this exhibition, common objects or materials take on new meanings and significance and become visual abstractions, transforming their original properties and transcending intrinsic functional, social, and formal references. Faux pearls become words, natural rock powder turns into industrial building material, stainless steel draws abstract lines, and discarded industrial products become sculptures. Oil paint, the most traditional art material, transforms into perfectly smooth marble walls.
The depiction of marble in the oil paintings of Bin Woo Hyuk is simultaneously a photorealistic and an abstract representation perceived as an actual marble wall or abstract painting. Koh San Keum transcribes texts with faux pearls on canvas where each pearl becomes a visual phoneme, creating abstract forms. Suzanne Song builds layers of natural pumice powder mixture which turns into concrete-like architectural structures whereas Jinnie Seo takes stainless steel panels to draw geometric forms in space. Max Frisinger revivifies thrown-away old cast iron radiators into sculptures referencing human anatomy.
The works of the artists embody duality; industrial materials imitate nature and natural materials appear to be industrial. In the exhibition, the unconventional materials become the means to create minimal, monochrome works of which their silent and poetic qualities allude to metaphors for a desolate desert or a laboratory, inviting viewers to a familiar yet new experience.
Gallery Baton
Opening Days & Hours
Wednesday Preview
2 October (Invitation only)
Thursday Preview
3 October: 12pm-8pm
Thursday Private View
3 October: 5pm-8pm
Friday 4 - Saturday 5 October
12pm-7pm
Sunday 6 October
12pm-6pm