Seonna Hong - "In Our Nature"

Hashimoto Contemporary is pleased to present “In Our Nature,” a solo show of new paintings by Los Angeles-based artist Seonna Hong. Expanding upon her series of expressionistic landscapes, Hong’s debut solo venture at the gallery consists of ranging acrylic works on canvas, as well as a collection of small paintings on found materials.

Hong’s paintings navigate through fragmented realities and unfiltered notions of child-like whimsy. People and animals inhabit rich environments that verge between geometric abstraction and figurative representation. One particular piece, entitled “3 Second Rule”, depicts a boy and girl gathered around something hidden within the flat horizon of color. The pair is dwarfed by an minimal composition of naturalistic elements, grounding them in a surreal vista. The controlled, yet unaffected gestures of Hong’s landscapes are often achieved through the repurposing of dried paint. The artist creates this effect by peeling swirls of acrylic from a painted surface and collaging them onto a final piece. The result is a blithe contrast of focus which highlights the dream-like qualities of the work’s narrative.

In addition to canvases, “In Our Nature” also features an assortment of small vignettes executed directly on a collection of paint chips. This playful series experiments with context and resourcefulness, expanding upon the artist’s use of color and depth of field. Hong’s characters wander between the complimentary shades, their compact worlds flowing around the expressive titles of each color.

With a strong multi-disciplinary background in fine art and illustration, Hong has gained notable recognition over the years both as a painter and animation production artist. Her unique vision garnered an Emmy Award in 2004 and continues to develop throughout her personal practice. For her new exhibition at Hashimoto, the artist strives to render “bridges of shared experience” between her stories and the viewer.

Please join us for “In Our Nature”, opening Saturday, October 8 with an evening reception from 6pm-10pm, where the artist will be in attendance. This exhibition will be on view through Saturday, October 29. For more information, additional images, or exclusive content, please email us at info@hashimotocontemporary.com