Chang Ucchin, A Family Portrait, 1972, oil on canvas, 2.95 x 5.83 inches
Chang Ucchin: The Eternal Home
May 7 – July 19, 2025
Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 7 from 6-8pm
Atrium and Gallery
We are pleased to present Chang Ucchin: The Eternal Home, the first dedicated exhibition of Chang Ucchin’s work in New York, opening this spring.
Chang Ucchin (1917–1990) was a seminal figure in the development of Korean modernism. Known for his distinctive style marked by innocence, playfulness, and poetic simplicity, Chang created a visual language that has become foundational to modern and contemporary Korean art. His paintings reflect a profound affection for family, home, and the natural world—recurring themes that continue to resonate deeply.
Through elemental forms—trees, birds, the sun, and the moon—Chang sought to capture life’s essential beauty. These familiar motifs transcend time and space, offering a sense of serenity and timelessness. In his work, the home becomes more than a physical space; it is a spiritual refuge, an idealized center where humanity and nature coexist in harmony.
A centerpiece of this exhibition is Golden Ark (1992), an exclusive collection published by the Limited Editions Club (LEC) of New York. Recognizing Chang as a profound representative of Korean culture, LEC collaborated with him to select 12 paintings from over 730 oil works he created. Meticulously reproduced to match the scale and color of the originals, Golden Ark preserves the essence of Chang’s vision. Its title metaphorically likens his legacy to a vessel of gold—precious, enduring, and guiding.
In today’s rapidly shifting world, Chang Ucchin’s work offers a quiet refuge. His paintings invite us to rediscover the warmth of home, the comfort of nature, and the possibility of joy in life’s simplest moments. By dissolving the boundaries between reality and the ideal, The Eternal Home allows us to enter the world he imagined—one of purity, balance, and enduring artistic resonance.
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Ik-Joong Kang, Hangeul Wall: Things I Love to Talk About, 2024, 20,000 Hangeul tiles (mixed media on wood: 3×3 inches each), approximately 26 x 72 ft (8 x 22 meters)
Hangeul Wall: Things I Love to Talk About
Atrium
The Hangeul Wall, measuring 26 x 72 feet (8 x 22 meters) and composed of 20,000 Hangeul tiles, connects the wisdom and experiences of global citizens. Developed in collaboration with LG CNS, KCCNY launched a website in May 2024, enabling people worldwide to create their own artworks using the site’s translation and coloring functions under the theme “Things I Love to Talk About.” The website attracted over 8.2 million visits from more than 50 countries and received 7,000 artwork submissions within two months. From these, 1,000 pieces were selected through public online voting and artist review, culminating in this monumental installation.
The Hangeul Wall stands as a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of Hangeul and the universal freedom of expression, serving as a testament to our shared human narratives. Traditionally, walls are seen as barriers that divide and separate; however, the Hangeul Wall represents a different kind of structure—a wall of peace and unity. It transcends the conventional notion of separation to become a canvas of connection and harmony.
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