NEW DRAWINGS

Jae Hwa Yoo

may 18 - June 22, 2024 

CMAY GALLERY proudly announces its inaugural solo exhibition featuring the work of Los Angeles-based artist Jae Hwa Yoo.

Yoo's artistry reflects a deep-rooted commitment to mark-making, evoking the esteemed Korean Abstractionist movement known as "Dansaekhwa," with which she is closely aligned. Having studied in Korea during the late 1960s, Yoo shares ties with influential figures of the movement, including Ha Chonghyun, Eun Hyong-Keun, and notably, Park Seo Bo, whom she regards as a pivotal influence.

In a previous solo exhibition just two years ago at PRJCTLA in downtown Los Angeles, Yoo showcased large-scale paintings featuring unstretched canvases that adorned the gallery's walls and floor.

For her upcoming show at CMAY GALLERY, Yoo embraces a more understated approach, presenting smaller-scale drawings. Despite their modest size, these intimate works resonate with the same power found in her larger pieces, offering a nuanced exploration of her artistic vision.

Created specifically for this exhibition and its unique space, Yoo's new drawings epitomize her lifelong dedication to mastering the art of painting. They represent the culmination of decades of artistic evolution, resulting in captivating works that blend contemporary sensibilities with a profound depth of experience.

Yoo draws inspiration from her memories of layered palimpsest calligraphy studies from her youth, which inform the delicate and intricate marks that adorn her drawings. These patterns create mesmerizing rhythms, akin to the minimalist compositions of Terry Riley. Yoo's recent shift towards longer and more linear markings reflects her ongoing artistic exploration, rooted in her early brush practice sessions.