YOO YOUNGKUK

As a first generation of Korean abstract painting, Yoo developed a unique artistic style by merging traditional Korean perspectives on nature with Western abstract art. Amidst the turbulent history of modern and contemporary Korea, Yoo gained profound insights into the essence of art and life through his observations of nature. He expressed ever-changing qualities of nature through a distinctive combination of colours and forms that originated from his inner vision.

Yoo’s works achieve a unique fusion by integrating various characteristics of nature’s colours and forms. His depiction of mountains conveys both the grandeur and tranquility of nature, while his representation of the dynamic sea captures the fluidity and immutability of life. The complex yet orderly shapes of forests evoke the intricate yet harmonious aspects of nature and human society. Yoo’s use of colours is brilliant and bold, clam and profoundly elegant all at once, embodying a restrained beauty that exemplifies the golden mean. Today, his distinctive abstract paintings create a universal sympathy internationally and resonate deeply with all who experience them.

After graduating from the Department of Oil Painting at Bunka Gakuin University, Tokyo in 1938, Yoo Youngkuk led Korean avant-garde art groups such as the Modern Art Association (1957–1962) and SinSang-Hoe (1962–1968), becoming a prominent figure in Korean art history. He held a total of fifteen solo exhibitions before his passing, including his first solo show at the Korea Press Center in 1964 and the Invitational Exhibition (1979) at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung. Yoo was awarded The Best Awards for Work R3(1938) at the 2nd Exhibition of Association of Free Artists, the NAA Awards (Fine Art)(1976), and Bo-Gwan Order of Cultural Merit(1984). In 2016, a major retrospective was held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. His first debut exhibition in Europe, A Journey to the Infinite: YOO YOUNGKUK (Querini Stampalia, 20 April–24 November 2024) is currently on view as a Collateral Event of the 60th Venice Biennale, receiving acclaim as one of the best exhibitions in Venice. His works are held in the collections of major institutions such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, and Leeum Museum of Art.