Hakgojae Gallery presents So-so, Ban-saek, a solo exhibition by Kang Yo-bae (b. 1952) running from 12 August through 12 September 2026. Marking the artist's return to the gallery after four years, the exhibition originates from an attitude of warmly welcoming the small, modest existences encountered in everyday life.
For decades, Kang has tracked the subtle pulse of nature and the quiet breath of living things; this exhibition directs his deep, attentive gaze toward these intimate moments.
While widely recognized as a master of Minjung art who condensed the turmoil of Korean modern history and societal absurdities onto his canvases during the 1980s, Kang's artistic vision is equally sustained by a profound reverence for the natural world.
So-so, Ban-saek turns that grand, historical perspective inward, guiding viewers into a softer, more reflective landscape.
A pioneer of the first generation of Minjung art, Kang graduated with a BFA in Painting from Seoul National University in 1979 and earned his MFA from the same institution in 1982. From 1981 to 1990, he served as a core member of the influential artist group Reality and Utterance, developing a powerful realism that engaged directly with contemporary societal realities.
Born in Jeju, Kang opened a new horizon in historical painting with his renowned Jeju Popular Uprising History series, begun in 1988, which brought the tragic reality of the Jeju April 3 Incident to international awareness.
In his practice, Jeju's history and natural beauty merge on the canvas, treating nature not as a passive, external object, but as a living subject capable of reflecting inner emotional states.
Recognizing that life encompasses cool, stormy days alongside warm, peaceful ones, Kang infuses each work with distinct emotional resonance.
Kang’s distinguished career includes major solo and group exhibitions at premier institutions such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Daegu Art Museum, and Gwangju Museum of Art.
He has been honored with numerous prestigious accolades, including the Order of Cultural Merit (Okgwan), the Hoban Art Award, the Jeju 4·3 Peace Special Award, the Lee In-sung Art Prize, the Lee Jung-seob Art Prize, and the National Art Award.
His works are held in prominent public collections across South Korea, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, Jeju Museum of Art, Jeonnam Museum of Art, and Daegu Art Museum.
Through So-so, Ban-saek, Kang invites audiences to step away from grand narratives and share in his quiet appreciation for the subtle, enduring moments that define both nature and human life.
