Casper Kang | 캐스퍼 강
As a second generation Korean-Canadian, Casper Kang has always been fascinated by - yet mostly unfamiliar - with Korean culture. His early artwork focused on the symbolic cultural imagery of traditional Korean culture, reinterpreting Minhwa (Korean folk painting) and other ancient Korean subjects as complex exercises in composition and meticulous execution.
As Kang continued living in Seoul, his work underwent dramatic phases of transformation, including increasingly abstract renditions of natural imagery, and finally arrived at its current direction which aligns with his view of modern Korean culture. It is a process-driven creation which manipulates not the imagery, but the materiality or physical construct of the Minhwa paintings which inspired his early works — Hanji (Korean mulberry paper), which Minhwa would typically be painted on. His new process manifested itself as meditative acts of repetitive destruction of Hanji, which includes tearing, burning, shredding, bleaching, and fraying.
His present artistic output focuses on the meaninglessness of all things that its meaningless in and of itself is what defines any meaning it may possibly possess. Through the "destruction" of hanji, the material medium of ancient Korean imagery, Kang attempts to empty the inherent meanings of portrayed objects and symbols of culture, rendering them as inverted material, as hollow vessels aspiring to be filled with the meaninglessness of all things.
Casper Kang received bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Carleton University. The artist has previously held 11 solo exhibitions along with over 30 group shows at venues such as Coreana Art Museum, Daelim Museum, Kyobo Art Space and M Contemporary. He has collaborated with variety of entities including Amore Pacific, Adidas, RYSE Hotel and Gentlemonster’s beauty brand- Tamburins.
INQUIREbiography
EDUCATION
2004 B.A.S., Carleton University School of Architecture, Ottawa, Canada
DESIGN EXPERIENCE
2006 HIMMA Architecture, Seoul
2004-2006 SPACE GROUP Architecture, Seoul
2018-2020 IISE, Art Director, Seoul
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 “Casper Kang”, Jongro Tower x Public Gallery, Seoul
2018 “별의별의별의별”, Sophis Gallery, Seoul
2016 "瑤 池 鏡", Sophis Gallery, Seoul
2015 "Flowers & Fortresses", Studio Concrete, Seoul
2015 "☰" Invitational Exhibition, Gallery IS, Seoul
2014 "Casper Kang", Helio Art Space, Seoul
2013 "新羅 Z", 153 Gallery, Seoul
2012 "MMXII", Gallery AI1, Seoul
2011 "Self Dynasty", Gallery Imazoo, Seoul
2010 “C.R.E.A.M.”, Gallery CHA, Seoul
2009 “Phantasmagoria III”, Daily Projects, Seoul
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020 “Up Close 01”, M Contemporary, Seoul
2020 “Artwave x Dansk”, Dansk Seoul, Seoul
2018 “Yesultong Festival”, Pildong Arts & Culture Street, Seoul
2018 “About Landscapes”, Kyobo Art Space, Seoul
2017 “夢“, Gallery Sai, Seoul
2017 “Art Space No Wave”, Apgujeong Flagship Hyundai Department Store, Seoul
2016 "CCRT Aerospace: The Other Side", Studio Concrete, Seoul
2016 "Chosun Art Treasure Pilgrimage of Lee Cha Do", Jemulpo District, Incheon
2016 "Art Space No Wave", Hyundai Department Store, Daegu
2016 "CCRT Aerospace", Boon the Shop Flagship Store, Seoul
2016 "Between Art", Hyundai Department Store Pangyo, Pangyo
2016 "Time & Time", AK Gallery, Suwon
2016 "Sangsaengjang", Sangsaengjang, Seoul
2016 "Chrysalis", Julian Ongpin Young Artists, Manila
2016 "Log Into the Balance", Hidden M Gallery, Seoul
2015 "Open Studio", Studio Concrete, Seoul
2015 "Adidas Superstar Finale", Daelim Museum, Seoul
2015 "Seoul Fiction", Studio Concrete, Seoul, South Korea
2015 "Adidas Gwangju Opening", Adidas Originals Gwangju Flagship Store, Gwangju, South Korea
2015 "Kaleidoscope Landscape", Danwon Museum, Ansan, South Korea
2015 "특별전", Gallery Imazoo, Seoul
2013 “Creative ©ities”, Pier-2 Art Center, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
2013 “Korea Tomorrow - Image Installation”, Seoul Arts Center Hangaram Museum, Seoul
2013 “Take Off Korea 2013”, Interpark Bluesquare Nemo, Seoul
2013 “Fearless”, Able Fine Art NY, New York
2013 "2013 New Generation Seoul", Able Fine Art Seoul, Seoul
2012 "House of Editions", Shinsegae Flagship Gallery, Seoul
2012 "SCAF", Seoul Arts Center Hangaram Museum, Seoul
2012 "8 Seconds Opening Ceremony", 8 Seconds Gallery, Seoul
2012 "Showcase Reboot", Platoon Kunsthalle, Seoul
2011 "YMCA", Gallery Imazoo, Seoul
2010 "Spring, We Will Spring", Gallery Imazoo, Seoul
2008 “International Young Artists’ Exhibition”, Coreana Art Museum (Space*C), Seoul
ART FAIRS
2021 "Art Busan 2021”, BEXCO, Busan
2016 "No Wave Art & Living Fair", Alver, Seoul
2015 “Art Wynwood”, The Art Wynwood Pavillion, Miami
2014 "Art Miami Context", The Art Miami Pavilion, Miami
2014 "Daegu Art Fair", Daegu EXCO, Daegu
2014 "CIGE 2014", China National Convention Center, Beijing
2013 “(KIAF) 2013”, COEX, Seoul
2012 "Daegu Art Fair", Daegu EXCO, Daegu
2012 “New Caledonia Hotel Art Fair", Le Méridien Nouméa, New Caledonia
2012 "Art Edition 2012", COEX, Seoul
2012 "CIGE 2012", China World Trade Center, Beijing
COMMISSIONS
2021 Tamburins Shinsa flagship store artwork
2020 Tamburins Haus Dosan flagship store artwork
2018 RYSE Hotel artwork (226 editions)
PROJECTS
2019 ‘A Modern Environment’ IISE x Goretex installation, Seoul Fashion Week
2017-18 Aju Hotel Group “RYSE Autograph Collection (Marriott Hotels)” Artwork Commission
2017 British American Tobacco (Dunhill) GLO Viral Marketing Campaign Artist
2016 Studio Concrete "CCRT Aerospace", Project Artist
2015 Adidas Korea "Adidas Original Superstar" Marketing Campaign Artist
2014 Amore Pacific "Sulwhasoo 10th Anniversary Artist Collaboration"
2014 Opening Ceremony LLC artist collaboration
2013 “Lucky Numbers”, Dynamic Duo 7th studio album cover artwork
2013 ”Zine Tokyo 6”, publication exhibition, BEAMS flagship store, Tokyo / Taipei
2012 Absolut Vodka Korea artist collaboration
PUBLICATIONS
2020 WWD Korea, interview, February 2020
2018 Art Mining, interview, August 2018, artmining Co., Ltd.
2017 Maps Magazine Vol. 108, May 2017, interview, Infinite Media Inc.
2016 Vogue Magazine Korea Dec. 2016, Studio Concrete feature, Doosan Magazine
2016 W Magazine Nov. 2016, (US & Korea), Studio Concrete feature, Condé Nast, Doosan
MAGAZINE
2016 Monthly Artist No. 35, June 2016, artist feature, Minu Modern Art Museum
2016 Arena Homme+ Korea June 2016, artist feature, Seoul Cultural Publishers Inc.
2016 Yoho!Girl No. 689, June 2016, interview, Yoho Media Inc.
2016 Eastern Trends, February 2016, Kaya Media Inc.
2016 Urbanlike, January/February 2016, interview, Urban Books Company Inc.
2016 Maps Magazine Vol. 93, January 2016, interview, Infinite Media Inc.
2015 #Original Superstar Takeover, November 2015, Mark(GDW) & Adidas Korea
2015 Kaleidoscope Landscape, July 2015, Ansan Cultural Foundation
2014 Tom Greyhound Tom Paper F/W 2014, November 2014, Studio Concrete & Pillow Book
2014 Harper's Bazaar Man No. 6, September 2014, artist feature, Kaya Media Inc.
2014 Maps Magazine Vol. 73, January 2014, artist feature, Infinite Media Inc.
2013 Next Generation In Asia Creative, Pie Books Japan
2013 Juxtapoz New Contemporary, Ginko Press
2013 Korea Tomorrow 2013 - Image Installation, KoreaTomorrow.org
2013 Divvisions, Casper Kang
2013 Public Art, October 2013, exhibition feature, Magazine Art Inc.
2013 Harper's Bazaar Korea No. 205, August 2013, photoshoot feature, Kaya Media Inc.
2013 Magazine Art, March 2013, exhibition feature, Artinpost Inc.
2012 Spectrum No. 8, Winter 2012, gallery feature, Prizm Distribution Inc.
2012 Gallery Guide Vol. 144, Sept.-Oct. 2012, exhibition feature
2012 Eloquence International Creator’s Magazine No. 53, August 2012, interview, Times Core Co.
2012 Art In Asia, May-June 2012, artist feature aMart Publications Inc.
2012 Arena Homme+ Korea No. 72, February 2012, interview, Seoul Cultural Publishers Inc.
2012 Maps Magazine Vol. 50, February 2012, interview, Infinite Media Inc.
2012 Arena Homme+ Korea No.71, January 2012, feature contributor, Seoul Cultural Publishers Inc.
2011 Art in Culture Vol. 156, December 2011, exhibition feature, aMart Publications Inc.
2011 Esquire Korea Vol. 188, May 2011, artist feature, Kaya Media Inc.
2011 Spectrum No.1, Spring 2011, artist feature, Prizm Distribution Inc.
selected works
Byeol 134
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 130x180cm
Byeol 134
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 130x180cm
Byeol 78
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 130x130cm
Byeol 25, 26
2020, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 40x40cm /50x50cm
Byeol 75
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 130x130cm
Byeol 75
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 130x130cm
Byeol 76
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 110x110cm
Byeol 76
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 110x110cm
Installation View
Installation View
Byeol 59
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on linen hemp, 40x40cm
Installation View
Byeol 115
2021, Ink, Dak fiber and Forming medium on Linen hemp, 90x90cm
Byeol 115
2021, Ink, Dak fiber and Forming medium on Linen hemp, 90x90cm
Untitled 20-5
2020, Acrylic and Hanji on canvas, 40x50cm
Byeol 33, 34, 35
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on Linen hemp, 91x116cm (EA)
Byeol 54
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on Linen hemp, 110x110cm
Byeol 57
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on Linen hemp, 40x40cm
Byeol 43
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on Linen hemp, 40x50cm
Byeol 44
2021, Burnt hanji and Acrylic on Linen hemp, 40x50cm
Byeol 81
2021, Burnt hanji and Ottchil hanji by Jangjibang on Linen hemp, 73x92cm
Byeol 81
2021, Burnt hanji and Ottchil hanji by Jangjibang on Linen hemp, 73x92cm
Byeol 68
2021, Hanji on Linen hemp, 20x20cm
Byeol 74
2021, Burnt hanji and Bleached hanji on Linen hemp, 130x130cm
discover: journal
NO CONTENTS
