Kang has been known as a portrait artist using photorealistic techniques. But in this exhibition, he is attempting to capture the spirit or essence of the age, engraved in the faces of specific characters in the portraits under the overarching theme of “Engrave.” As the artist himself had noted, that he “intends to represent the social atmosphere of the time through the genre of portraits,” the exhibition consists of various portraits that range from East to West, and past to present. Especially, “The Portrait of Yoon Du-Suh,” which is a reinterpretation of the self-portrait of artist Yun Du-Suh from the Joseon period, is the key piece in this exhibition that vividly expresses Kang’s artistic vision.
“An established style is a great misfortune for an artist.”