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

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1 YIM TAE KYU 1

2 FOREWORD 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. Gilles Dyan Founder and Chairman Opera Gallery Group Ahmad Bachan Manager Opera Gallery Dubai 2 3

3 FLY AWAY HOME #32, 2012 MARGINAL MAN, India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 61 x 57,5 cm - 24 x 22.6 in. India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 67 x 47,5 cm x 18.7 in. 5

4 TINKER BELL, India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper x 74 cm x 29.1 in. 2 - MARGINAL MAN, India Ink on Korean paper - 137,5 x 79 cm x 31.1 in. 3 - MARGINAL MAN, India Ink on Korean paper - 130,5 x 69 cm x 27.2 in

5 FLY AWAY HOME #30, India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper x 173 cm x 68.1 in. 9

6 DAY DREAMING #6, 2012 U.F.O, India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper x 91,5 cm - 52 x 36 in. India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 56 x 52 cm - 22 x 20.5 in. 11

7 MARGINAL MAN, 2004 NEW MOON, India Ink on Korean paper x 79 cm x 31.1 in. India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper x 74 cm x 29.1 in. 13

8 14 DAY DREAMING #4, India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper x 138 cm x 54.3 in. 15

9 DAY DREAMING #5, 2011 MARGINAL MEN IN EREHWON #1, India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper x 173 cm x 68.1 in. India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper x 138 cm x 54.3 in. 17

10 FLY AWAY HOME S-TYPE #8, 2010 FLY AWAY HOME S-TYPE #7, Fibre, reinforced plastic covered by Korean paper, painted with oriental colour and charcoal, edition of 8-75 x 75 x 67 cm x 29.5 x 26.4 in. Fibre, reinforced plastic covered by Korean paper, painted with oriental colour and charcoal, edition of 8-75 x 75 x 67 cm x 29.5 x 26.4 in. 19

11 20 MARGINAL MAN IN EREHWON #3, India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - Diptych: 173 x 276 cm x in. 21

12 MARGINAL MAN, 2004 DAY DREAMING #3, India Ink on Korean paper x 79 cm x 31.1 in. Indian Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper x 138 cm x 54.3 in. 23

13 WOMAN & WOMAN S-TYPE #2, 2010 Fibre, reinforced plastic covered by Korean paper, painted with oriental colour and charcoal, edition of 8 82 x 45 x 37 cm x 17.7 x 14.6 in. COCO #1, India Ink and oriental colour on Korean paper - 72,5 x 55 cm x 21.6 in. 25

14 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. BIOGRAPHY 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 26 th 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 10 th 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 Goyang National Art Studio Residence Program, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Goyang AWARDS 2006 The 26 th 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 26 27