Timeless Resonance: Chung Hyun’s Sculptural Poetry at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024

In an era where digital art often dominates the conversation, the upcoming Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 Survey sector promises a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of traditional sculptural forms. At the heart of this retrospective showcase stands the work of Korean sculptor Chung Hyun, whose solo project, presented by PKM Gallery, is set to captivate audiences with its profound exploration of materiality and human existence.

Born in 1956, Chung Hyun has carved out an unparalleled position in the realm of Korean sculpture. His works, created before the turn of the millennium, possess a fresh resonance that feels particularly poignant in today’s over-dematerialized art landscape. The PKM Gallery booth will feature Chung’s powerful bronze head sculptures and tar drawings from the 1990s, each piece a testament to the artist’s concentrated precision and intuitive expressive power.

Chung’s artworks are a harmonious dance between the rigidity of metal and the fluidity of organic forms. His bronze heads, with their weathered surfaces and enigmatic expressions, seem to carry the weight of countless untold stories. The tar drawings, dark and visceral, offer a stark contrast, yet complement the sculptures in their exploration of texture and depth. Together, these works deliver what can only be described as a weighty poetic reverberation, grounded firmly in time and history.

The selection of Chung Hyun as one of the Art Basel Editors’ pick artists underscores the significance of his contribution to the art world. From December 2nd, art enthusiasts worldwide will have the opportunity to engage with Chung’s work through featured images and editor reviews on the Art Basel website, offering a tantalizing preview of the exhibition to come.

Chung’s artistic journey is marked by numerous accolades and exhibitions at prestigious institutions across the globe. From the National Museum of Modern Art in Gwacheon, Korea, to the Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris, France, his work has traversed continents, speaking a universal language of form and emotion. His receipt of the Kim Sechoong Sculpture Award in 2014 and the AICA Korea Award in 2009 stand as testaments to the enduring impact of his artistic vision.

Perhaps most notably, Chung was named Artist of the Year 2006 by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, a recognition that solidified his status as a pivotal figure in contemporary Korean art. This honor, along with his selection as Artist Today 2004 by the Kim Chong Yung Museum, speaks to the timeless quality of his work – pieces created in the 1990s that continue to resonate and inspire well into the 21st century.

As visitors to Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 step into PKM Gallery’s Booth S14, they will be transported into a world where the fundamental aesthetics of sculptural materiality reign supreme. Chung Hyun’s work invites contemplation, challenging viewers to engage with art on a visceral level, to feel the weight of bronze and the texture of tar as acutely as they might perceive a digital image.

In a world increasingly dominated by the ephemeral nature of digital media, Chung Hyun’s sculptures and drawings stand as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of physical art. They invite us to pause, to reflect, and to reconnect with the tangible world around us. As the art world converges on Miami Beach from December 4th to 8th, 2024, Chung Hyun’s solo project promises to be a highlight – a moment of profound artistic exploration that captures the essence of matter, time, and memory in a way that only sculpture can.