About the Work
Sung Hwa Kim captures the sweet silence lurking in shadowed corners, magical moments that beckon only to those who wander, knowing they are not lost but charting the sublime course. In his cinematic paintings, butterflies, lightning bugs, flowers, and the moon are common protagonists, their delicate forms delineated by a mesmerizing, intrinsic glow.
Our new collaboration, I woke up. The Moon is full, so I send my wishes to the universe (2023), is based on Kim’s painting I Still Dream, exhibited during his 2022 solo exhibition at Hesse Flatow (New York) and part of his ongoing Nocturne Series, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series, says Kim, “explores the dichotomy between light and dark through symbolic valences of hope; life triumphing over loss and despair.” The global pandemic stalled our collective hyperactive momentum into a dulled vibration, like the soft electrical buzz of a lone street lamp or the hiss of gunpowder nearing detonation. Kim noticed an opportunity in the then-empty streets and set out as an explorer, traversing New York aimlessly, “like a modern-day flâneur, taking inspiration from regular walks throughout the city, often stopping and taking notice of things that are fleeting and frequently overlooked.”
The ability to be still remains an underrated achievement amidst our regularly scheduled programming, cultural demands that reflect an insatiable appetite. When does forward motion become rote rather than generative? Kim’s work nudges us towards the afterglow — if we’re able to quiet our minds in the certainty of luminescence, perhaps it matters not who fanned the flame.
In this new series of monoprints, Kim charts the gradual gradients of a twilight sky, individually isolating each colorfield to evoke the passage of time. Each print illustrates a differently hued lunar portal, echoing the luminous purity of a singular silhouetted flower nestled in the grassy foreground. Featuring hand-torn deckled edges, I woke up. The Moon is full, so I send my wishes to the universe (2023), mirrors the intimacy of Kim's larger practice while existing in its own reverie, resulting in a wholly unique series that holds space for the poetic power of mindful observation.
Artist Biography
Sung Hwa Kim (b. 1985, Seoul, South Korea) has held exhibitions at The Green Family Art Foundation with Nicodim Gallery (Dallas), Hesse Flatow (New York), Cob Gallery (London), Harper's Books (Los Angeles), 1969 Gallery (New York), Steven Zevitas Gallery (Boston), Moskowitz Bayse (Los Angeles), Harper’s Books (East Hampton), M+B (Los Angeles, CA), and The Edge Effect curated by Akili Tommasino at The Katonah Museum of Art (Katonah, NY). Kim received his MFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art and his BFA from The Art Institute of Boston. Kim lives and works in New York City.
Authentication & Resale
Signed, numbered, dated, and titled by the artist en verso. This work is also accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed and numbered by Exhibition A.
Be sure to keep your Certificate of Authenticity (COA) in a safe place. We are unable to replace or reissue COAs.
Framing
Please contact service@exhibitiona.com to have this work framed. Framed artwork is custom framed once it is ordered. Allow 3-5 weeks for framing and delivery.
FRAME
All of our frames are made from sustainably sourced engineered hardwood that is manufactured in the USA. Frames are available in Black or White Matte and Walnut.
MAT
Prints are hinged to a conservation quality, acid-free and lignin-free Cellulose matboard, using acid-free polyethylene cloth tape. Each mat’s surface paper is fade and bleed resistant and is attached to a conversation quality foam-core board. Some of our work (typically those pieces with a deckled edge) is floated on the matboard with spacers to separate the artwork from the glazing.
GLAZING
We use museum quality .060 mm plexiglass to frame your work. It blocks 82-85% of UV rays to prevent color fading from exposure to light, protecting your art for years to come.
DIMENSIONS
Our White and Black frames have a ⅞” wide flat face and are 15/16” deep. Mats are 1” wide for prints up to 8” x 10”. Mats are 2” wide for prints larger than 8” x 10”.
Our Natural and Walnut frames have a ¾” wide flat face and are 1 ⅛” deep. Mats are 1” wide for prints up to 8” x 10”. Mats are 2” wide for prints larger than 8” x 10”.
Any artwork that is floated will be placed in a frame that has a ⅝” wide flat face and is 1 5/16” deep. Work will be floated with a 1” border around it.
Shippings & Returns
Unframed work ships within 5 business days of your order. Framed artwork is custom framed once it is ordered. Please allow 2-4 weeks for framing and delivery. Need it faster? Expedited options may be available by emailing service@exhibitiona.com. All work ships from the US. International customers are responsible for any customs, duty, or VAT charges.
If you change your mind after placing your order, please email us at service@exhibitiona.com within 24 hours. We will not be able to accommodate cancellations for framed orders after that time period (as your frame will have been ordered and cut within that time period). We may not be able to accommodate your request to cancel your order for an unframed work after 24 hours if it has been packaged and processed by our fulfillment center.
We are unable to accept returns on custom framed artwork. Our general policy is that we do not accept returns. If your print arrives damaged or does not meet your expectations, you may be eligible for a replacement or return. Any issues must be reported within 5 business days of receipt by emailing service@exhibitiona.com.
