Writings
Texts
[Essay] Hong Kyoungtack’s 'Funkchestra' Series: Harmony of Colors, Shapes, and Icons
The title of Hong Kyoungtack’s (b.1968) series, Funkchestra, is a combination of the words “funk” and “orchestra.” In this series of works, various elements such as religion, pop culture, consumer culture, music, and art are in harmony with each other as a reflection of contemporaneity.
2023.06.16
Texts
[Column] The Artist’s Room – Pop Artist Hong Kyoungtack
There are not many artists who are both critically acclaimed and widely popular. This is even more true in the art world. Last year, artist Hong Kyoungtack (46) experienced two significant milestones. His work Pencil 1 was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong for the highest price ever recorded for a Korean artwork (approximately 960 million KRW), bringing him widespread recognition.
2023.06.16
Texts
[Essay] Hong Kyoungtack's Library Series Depicts an Infinite Fantastical World Within a Closed Space
Inspired by the contemporary elements found in Chaekgeori, a genre of Joseon Dynasty still-life paintings with books as the main subject, artist Hong Kyungtack (b.1968) embarked on the series Library. Depicting spaces filled with bookshelves and books, the Library series captures various spatial elements.
2023.06.15
Texts
[Essay] Hong Kyoungtack's 'Pen' Series: A Vibrant Explosion of Color and Emotion
Hong Kyoungtack’s large paintings from the Pen series feature colorful pencils and pens bursting forth like fireworks in all directions. The series showcases the smooth surfaces of densely packed pens and pencils, creating a sense of overwhelming pressure for the viewer.
2023.06.14
Texts
[Essay] Artist Hong Kyoungtack Paints Desires in Splendid Colors and Patterns
Aside from the recent peak, South Korea has gone through several art market booms in the past. The boom in the 2000s was an important time for the Korean art market, as it went through structure diversification with new art fairs and auction houses opening and many galleries seeking to expand their activities outside the country.
2022.08.15
More Writings
Criticisms
[Critique] The Tower of Babel Built by Books
Hong Kyoung-tack is an artist who presented a new milestone of contemporary still life painting. He opens our eyes to realize that still life painting is not about painting of objects literally still but about painting full of images emitting intense energy like fireworks.
2019.10.16
Criticisms
[Critique] A World of Painting Without Shadows – Hong Kyoungtack’s Paintings that Simultaneously Evoke Fascination and Blasphemy
I am Christ, crucified against a dazzling fluorescent background or waiting for resurrection amid the words ‘power, corruption, and lies.’ I am also the hidden creator/ruler of esoteric knowledge and seductive images, and a conductor who DJs the refined grammar of high art and the ephemeral tastes of popular culture.
2009