Installation view of 《I woke up laughing》 ©Art Centre Art MomentArt
Centre Art Moment presents the group exhibition 《I woke
up laughing》 until April 19, featuring works by six
painters born in the 1990s who are actively shaping the contemporary art scene.
This
exhibition considers painting as a “world of illusion” rooted in the artist’s
subjectivity and psyche. It explores how the figures of self and existence,
along with the facets of the world and society that emerge in these works,
reflect upon us. Additionally, it examines the inevitability of the times and
the potential for narrative expansion.
Installation view of 《I woke up laughing》 ©Art Centre Art MomentThe optimism that marked the beginning of
the 1990s was built on ideals of growth and freedom. However, those
expectations rapidly transformed before they could fully unfold. Today,
remnants of that era have shifted into narratives of crisis—spanning political
and economic systems, individual bodies and minds, collective and generational
identities, and even climate concerns. Meanwhile, terrorism, ideological
conflicts, and war continue to evolve in subtle yet persistent forms.
The artists in this exhibition spent their
childhood in the 1990s and, as of 2025, stand at the intersection of youth and
professional maturity—somewhere between emerging and mid-career. Youth is often
described with contradictory terms: growth and hesitation, ambition and
anxiety, progress and uncertainty. Yet, this generation plays a crucial role as
a bridge between eras, offering glimpses into the near future of society.
Installation view of 《I woke up laughing》 ©Art Centre Art MomentThe participating artists engage with the
material culture of modern civilization, drawing from familiar environments and
cultural references. While appearing to move in step with the times, they
paradoxically negate or subvert these influences. Their works construct
symbolic and metaphorical worlds that confront viewers with existential
questions, prompting reflection on contemporary life.
As a result, their canvases unfold like
dreams—hovering between reality and illusion, the external and the internal. I
woke up laughing seeks to explore how each artist’s “world of illusion” can
expand and remain relevant. By presenting the work of artists navigating the
turbulence of youth, the exhibition positions their paintings as some of the
most dynamic expressions of contemporary art today.
Participating Artists: KANG Cheolgyu, Kim Minzo, Son
Minseok, Yang-ha, Yoon Miryu, Heo Chanmi
