Hyon Gyon @ Parasol Unit

Korean shamanism and intense emotions of rage, sorrow and anguish inspire the artworks of Hyon Gyon. The artist’s fascinating practice includes using a soldering iron on lengths of traditional Korean satin. The fabric slowly melts and liquifies in the heat, creating an intoxicating result somewhere between beauty and violence. This is the first time a European gallery has staged a solo exhibition of her art. Known for her intricate and highly expressive works, often like mid-burst manifestations of explosive raw energy, Hyon Gyon combines traditional Korean textiles, Japanese paper and paint together with various less conventional materials to create her paintings and sculptural installations. She explores themes of sociocultural identity, grief, anger and sexual politics. Her assemblages are powerful fusions of vivid colour and emotion that appear to collide yet somehow live in unity within each work.