Yongjin Han is a seminal figure in Korean contemporary sculpture. Following the Korean War (1950-53), he has been the leader in bringing Korea’s tradition of direct stone carving out of figuration and into a refined abstraction. Like the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi, Yongjin Han pursues truth to materials, seeking authentic engagement with stone as a substance that is both ancient and alive. The spirit of his practice is simultaneously light and profound: “The stone asks me to scratch its itch here, or there, so that’s what I do!” His works are in museums and private collections worldwide. Major commissions include the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea; the city of Redding, California; and the Olympic Sculpture Park, Seoul.

 

BACKGROUND & EDUCATION

 

1981   Resident, Columbia University, New York, NY

1960   BFA, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

 

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

 

National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul

Township of Iwatekan, Japan

Herning Kunst Museum, Herning, Denmark

IE-YOUNG Contemporary Art Museum, Seoul

American Standard Gallery, New York

City of Redding, CA

Smart Museum, University of Chicago, IL

 

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

 

2015   Four Sculptors, Gallery Korea of the Korean Cultural Service New York 

 

2012   Solo Show, “Han, YongJin”, Gallery Nori, Jeju, Korea

 

2011   Two-person show, “Stone and Wind”, Andrew Bae Gallery, Chicago, IL

 

2008   Group show, “In Memoriam: Moon Mi Ae,” Whanki Museum, Seoul, Korea

 

2006   Solo show, AndrewShire Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

            Three man show (indefinitely), IE Young Contempo- rary Art Museum, Yongin, Korea

 

2003   Group Show, ìDream & Reality,î Smithsonian Intíl Gallery, Washington, D.C.

 

2001   Group Show, Art Chicago, Navy Pier, Park Ryu Sook Gallery, Chicago, IL

 

1996   2-man show with Nam June Paik, Sigma Gallery, New York, NY

 

1994   Solo Show, Hyundai Gallery, Seoul, Korea

 

1989   “Clock & Rock,” La Galerie de Paris, Paris, France

 

1987   Group Show, Centre National des Arts Plastiques, Paris, France

 

1986   “Korea-New York ‘86,” Thorpe Intermedia Gallery, Sparkill, NY

 

1983   “FIAC ‘83,” Pointdexter Gallery, Paris , France

 

1982   Stone Sculpture Symposium, Iwateken, Japan

 

1966   Solo Show, Gallery of New Experimental College, Herning, Denmark

            “Contemporary Artists’ Exhibition,” Denmark

 

1963   “Five Artists’ Print Show,” National Museum of Modern Art, Seoul, Korea

            7th Sao Paolo Biennial, Brazil