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YIMT A EKYU

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FORE

WORD

Yim Tae Kyu has to be one of the most emblematic talents to emerge from Korea’s prolific art scene over the last decade.

Reactionism’s direct and worthy heir to the modernism of the 70s and 80s, Yim Tae Kyu’s work is an exploration of individuality, a quest to discover one’s inner self. The artist dives head first into an intimate introspection that echoes with universal reverberations: today’s social conditions, the marginalization and standardization of a world in turmoil, the destruction of anything and everything unique: these are just some of Yim Tae Kyu’s themes; a paradox, really, as they revolt the artist while feeding his inspiration…

The naïve style characterizing his work uses a rich lexicon of childlike images. But a deeper look at his subjects’ candid expressions in no way excludes a symbolic, even combative quality, which remains palpable. Observe the artist’s style: the protagonist is always in the center of the canvas but defies any preconceived rules defining proportion. The individuals he portrays are usually outcasts who were never quite able to find their place in the world. But their place is clearly and intelligently defined by Yim Tae Kyu. Their oversized heads and bodies dominate the elements floating around them, as if dismissing life’s everyday hardships: they remain, poised at the center, the heart of the artist’s creation.

In the past, the juvenile shapes that inhabited Yim Tae Kyu’s universe seemed so lonely, depressed. They have evolved over time to don a more optimistic demeanor; they’re now more expressive, colourful…cheerful.

This latest exhibition that we proudly present to our collectors features new artworks by Yim Tae Kyu. It highlights the various creative stages of a life’s work that is both rich and in constant evolution.

Ahmad BachanManager

Opera Gallery Dubai

Gilles DyanFounder and ChairmanOpera Gallery Group

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FLY AWAY HOME #32, 2012India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 61 x 57,5 cm - 24 x 22.6 in.

MARGINAL MAN, 2012India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 67 x 47,5 cm - 26.4 x 18.7 in.

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1 - TINKER BELL, 2010 - India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 143 x 74 cm - 56.3 x 29.1 in.

2 - MARGINAL MAN, 2004 - India Ink on Korean paper - 137,5 x 79 cm - 54.1 x 31.1 in.

3 - MARGINAL MAN, 2004 - India Ink on Korean paper - 130,5 x 69 cm - 51.4 x 27.2 in.1

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FLY AWAY HOME #30, 2011India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 138 x 173 cm - 54.3 x 68.1 in.

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DAY DREAMING #6, 2012India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 132 x 91,5 cm - 52 x 36 in.

U.F.O, 2012India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 56 x 52 cm - 22 x 20.5 in.

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NEW MOON, 2010India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 143 x 74 cm - 56.3 x 29.1 in.

MARGINAL MAN, 2004India Ink on Korean paper - 143 x 79 cm - 56.3 x 31.1 in.

14 15DAY DREAMING #4, 2010 - India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 173 x 138 cm - 68.1 x 54.3 in.

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MARGINAL MEN IN EREHWON #1, 2010India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 173 x 138 cm - 68.1 x 54.3 in.

DAY DREAMING #5, 2011India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 138 x 173 cm - 54.3 x 68.1 in.

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FLY AWAY HOME S-TYPE #7, 2010Fibre, reinforced plastic covered by Korean paper, painted with oriental colour and charcoal, edition of 8 - 75 x 75 x 67 cm - 29.5 x 29.5 x 26.4 in.

FLY AWAY HOME S-TYPE #8, 2010Fibre, reinforced plastic covered by Korean paper, painted with oriental colour and charcoal, edition of 8 - 75 x 75 x 67 cm - 29.5 x 29.5 x 26.4 in.

20 21MARGINAL MAN IN EREHWON #3, 2010 - India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - Diptych: 173 x 276 cm - 68.1 x 108.7 in.

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DAY DREAMING #3, 2010Indian Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 173 x 138 cm - 68.1 x 54.3 in.

MARGINAL MAN, 2004India Ink on Korean paper - 143 x 79 cm - 56.3 x 31.1 in.

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COCO #1, 2010India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 72,5 x 55 cm - 28.5 x 21.6 in.

WOMAN & WOMAN S-TYPE #2, 2010Fibre, reinforced plastic covered by Korean paper, painted with oriental colour and charcoal, edition of 882 x 45 x 37 cm - 32.3 x 17.7 x 14.6 in.

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Yim Tae Kyu was born in 1976 in Seoul, Korea. Soon after his graduation form the College of Fine Arts of Seoul National

University in 2000, Yim pursued his studies further at the Graduate School of Chung-Ang University. Yim was exhibited in solo

and group shows in Korea, Paris, New York, and China. His paintings were auctioned at Christie’s Hong Kong, and were

presented at various international art fairs. Yim’s work is part of the main collections such as Malaysia National Museums

of Art, Art Bank of National Museum of Contemporary Art, Kumho Art Museum and Song Eun Art & Culture Foundation to

be listed. His talent is continuously being recognized with awards, one of which was given by Korea’s National Museum of

Contemporary Art. Yim lives and works in Beijing and was in residency program at the National Goyang Art Studio.

SOLO AND TWO-PERSONS EXHIBITIONS

2012 Yim Tae Kyu, Opera Gallery, Dubai

2011 Erehwon, Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore

2010 Yim Tae Kyu & Matteo Sbaragli Duet Show, Opera Gallery, London

2009 Erehwon, Art Seasons Gallery, Beijing

2008 Fly away Home, Gallery LVS, Seoul

2007 The 26th Annual Suk Nam Arts Awards, 100 Days of Dream,

Moran Gallery, Seoul

2006 Kumho Young Artists, Yim Tae Kyu, Marginal Man - Desperado,

Kumho Art Museum, Seoul

Marginal Man, Gallery GAIA, Seoul

2005 Marginal Man, Gallery PICI, Seoul

Marginal Man, Galerie Etienne de Causans, Paris

2004 Marginal Man, Seoul Arts Center, Seoul

2003 Marginal Man, Gong Gallery, Seoul

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2012 No. 45 Kumho Young Artist, Kumho Art Museum, Seoul

2011 Art Seasons 10th Anniversary Show, Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore

Zeitgeist, Interalia, Seoul

31 Artists to propose, Gallery Soop, Seoul

K-POP Art, Opera Gallery, Singapore

2010 Small is Beautiful, Art Seasons Gallery, Beijing

Lack of Being, Interalia, Seoul

Idiolect: Contemporary Art from Asia, Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore

2009 Song Eun Art Awards of all time, Song Eun Gallery, Seoul

Encounter: Dublin, Lisbon, Hong Kong and Seoul, Korea Federation

for International Culture Exchange

2008 Transcendence: modernity and beyond in Korean art, Singapore

Art Museum, Singapore

Tour exhibition: To be or to have, Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin; Galveias

Gallery, Lisbon; Hong Kong Visual Arts Center, Hong Kong

Korea Icon Beat, 798 Space, Beijing

From Korea, Art Seasons Gallery, Beijing; Singapore

2007 Into Drawing #3, SOMA Museum, Seoul

KAMI’s Choice, The Best of the Best 20, Insa Art Center, Seoul

Open Studio 3, Goyang National Art Studio, Goyang

Yim Tae Kyu has also had many group shows since 2004

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Kumho Art Museum, Seoul

Song Eun Art & Culture Foundation, Seoul

Art Bank of National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul

Phoenix Park Resort, Dublin

Kolon Corporation, Seoul

Dae Yang Transporation, Inc., Busan

Shinsung Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Seoul

Prime Saving Bank

Um & Lee Architect, Inc.

Yongwon Built-in, Inc.

I.G.tech

Fischer Korea Co., Ltd., Seoul

Malaysia National Museums of Art, Malaysia

Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong

RESIDENCY

2006 - 2007 Goyang National Art Studio Residence Program, National

Museum of Contemporary Art, Goyang

AWARDS

2006 The 26th Annual Suk Nam Arts Awards, Suk Nam Arts and Cultural

Foundation

2005 Song Eun Art Awards, Song Eun Arts & Cultural Foundation

Kumho Young Artists, Kumho Art Museum

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