Gicheok. Una Corriente Silenciosa. Lyu namgwon

Three new creations by artist Lyu Namgwon take centre stage in this exhibition hosted by the Hanul Gallery at the Korean Cultural Centre in Spain from 17 September to 13 November. Visitors will be able to discover how the artist reinterprets traditional Korean lacquering techniques from a modern perspective.

Lyu Namgwon, winner of the 2022 Young Artisan Award, organised jointly by the Yeol Foundation and Chanel, presents three new works that capture, from the perspective of Gicheok (or "indicia", meaning that manifestation of existence perceived even without seeing or touching its traces), a piece from the "Lacquered Tableware" collection, the result of a collaboration with the Korean studio Studio Hinge, which reinterprets traditional lacquered ceramics as contemporary tableware; and two works created in collaboration with designer Shim Seungyeon, alongside makgeolli cups (a traditional Korean liqueur) and lacquered cups crafted using traditional Korean techniques.

Additionally, a video documenting the creation process will be exhibited, and on the opening day itself, the "Meet the Artist" event will take place, offering a firsthand insight into his artistic universe.

Lyu Namgwon began as a disciple of master Park Gangyong, who was designated as an Intangible National Heritage of Lacquering for the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. Lyu obtained his qualification in lacquering in 2014 and subsequently began creating original textures that capture randomness and the traces of time through a variation technique in which he applies multiple layers of lacquer onto traditional Korean Hanji paper or various types of mulberry paper.