You Hyeonkyeong
You Hyeonkyeong (b. 1985) has built a highly distinctive pictorial world through her relentless exploration of the human psyche, interpersonal relationships, and the essence of existence. Making her formal debut with the solo exhibition Sonata of Desire in 2009, she has since garnered extensive international experience, staging dozens of exhibitions across major global art hubs, including Seoul, New York, Paris, Amsterdam, and Düsseldorf. The artist has continuously broadened her artistic spectrum by participating in prestigious international residency programs worldwide, beginning with Schloss Plüschow in Germany (2011), followed by Rote Fabrik in Switzerland (2014) and the Doosan Residency New York (2016).
Driven by a solid academic foundation and diverse global exposure, Yoo’s practice is constantly evolving. On her raw canvases, unformed figures rendered with swift brushstrokes radiate a primal sense of individual presence and a unique, unvarnished aura. The "honest confrontation" and "paradox of erasure" initially manifested in her portraiture have progressively expanded into the surrounding space, evolving into landscapes. Her bold restraint—leaving large portions of the canvas empty—and her aesthetic of white space resonate deeply with the traditional Korean view of nature, which embraces the natural order of things with understated simplicity. This serene honesty and masterful expressiveness offer viewers a peculiar sense of liberation and a profound allure.
You Hyeonkyeong earned both her BFA and MFA in Painting from Seoul National University and is currently based in Berlin, Germany. Her artistic excellence has been highly recognized through prestigious accolades, including the Ha Dong-chul Fellowship (2008) and the 8th Chong Kun Dang Art Award (2019). Her works are held in the permanent collections of major public, national, and private art institutions across South Korea.
Born
1985 Live and Work in Berlin
Education
B.FA 2009 Seoul National University, painting
M.FA 2011 Seoul National University Graduate School, painting
Award
2019 The 8th Chongkundang Yesulisang
2008 Ha dong chul Scholarship
Solo Exhibitions
2026
Sunny, Shining, Woonjoong Gallery, Seongnam, Korea
Eyes, Golestani, Düsseldorf, Germany
Where mom stands, Gallery Imazoo, Seoul, Korea
Standing in the field, itta Space, Incheon, Korea
Erased, Emerged, Iseurrat, Seoul, Korea
2025
I can’t portray you, 26SQM, Parkseobo Foundation, Seoul, Korea
Neither Exists Without the Other, Space Anyoung, Seoul, Korea
Fly, from the days I considered leaving, Enseoul, Amsterdam, Netherlands
I retreat to the realm in a timeless horizon, Gallery JJ, Seoul, Korea
2024
YOU Hyeonkyeong, Ficus Gallery, Seoul, Korea
There is no end, Enseoul, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Reminding of the paintings in 2020-2023, Tdahaus, Seoul, Korea
Miracle is that you appear in front of me, Yeoju Art Museum, Yeoju, Korea
My place in the wind, Gallery Yool, Incheon, Korea
From Baekseok to Berlin, Sobusy Gallery, Busan, Korea
Every bride is pretty, Enseoul, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2023
ZERO TO ONE – YOU Hyeonkyeong, JN Gallery and 11 other locations, Korea
YOU Hyeonkyeong Solo Exhibition, 2GIL29 GALLERY, Seoul, Korea
2022
AISA NOW Paris 2022, Paris, France
Hyeonkyeong You, 2GIL29 GALLERY, Seoul, Korea
Painting, as another method for a meeting, Hori Artspace, Seoul, Korea
Attractiveness, JN Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Your transparent and resonant soul, Gallery Mark, Seoul, Korea
2021
I can go where I want to go, gallery Yangsan, Yangsan, Korea
Nobody Hurt by Painting, itta Space, Incheon, Korea
2020
Things that the painter can not see, Superior Gallery, Seoul, Korea
It Was Beautiful Days, Gallery Now, Seoul
2019
Asia Now Paris 2019, Paris, France
be happy, GALLERY2, Seoul, Korea
2018
My pain gives you a warm, gallery sein, Seoul, Korea
New Days, Spacemom museum of art, Cheongjoo, Korea
2017
No place to go 2, Woosuk gallery, Seoul national university, Seoul, Korea
2016
No place to go, Doosan gallery, New York, USA
2012
Lying, Hakgojae Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2011
It’s my fault, OCI Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
2010
I don’t know well, Gallery LVS, Seoul, Korea
2009
Painter and model, Hadongchul Scholarship exhibition, Woosuk Hall, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
Sonata of desire, SeMA Seoul Museum of Art supporting program, Insa Art Center, Seoul, Korea
Collections
MMCA Government Art Bank, Korea
Seoul National University Museum of Art, Korea
OCI Museum of Art, Korea
Residency Program
2018 Makeshop art space, Paju/Korea
2016 Doosan residency, New York/USA
2014 Rote Fabrik, Zürich/Switzerland
2011 Schloss Plüschow, Plüschow/Germany
