Hyun Mo Yang delves in moments when images either blur or sharpen through processes of visual perception. For Yang, his series of paintings and the act of drawing itself embodies his attempt toward introspective reference and observation to achieve a certain “balance”. Moving beyond his previous focus on darkness, Yang now focuses on symmetry and purposely blurs such structures to better understand his artistic process and ultimately, life.

Flickering denotes uncertainty in movement, situations, or mentality. Is it possible to reinterpret such negative connotations of the word through painting? I began drawing candles to figure out the reasons for the light’s seemingly diametric qualities of both uncertainty and solidity.

We feel a sense of fragility in the candle, but we also feel a sense of solidity due to our perception of its three-dimensional quality rather than as a fragmentary, fixed object. Does the medial reading of an object stem from its flickering? Could this quivering shape be a new opportunity for a grander gaze? I believe that this three-dimensionality and expansive scope ultimately solidifies the candle.

The candle flickers. I quiver along with the light. The paintings also flicker—at times calmy and at times violently. It feels like a dance. As such, the candle images are all different. The candle reveals itself as symmetry of lines and planes, but also divulges itself amidst the intertwined heap. This broadened spectrum of images all indicate a certain flicker. -HyunMo Yang

Hyun Mo Yang received his B.A. and M.A. in Western Painting from Seoul National University. Yang has participated in two solo exhibitions—notably Burning Symmetry at ROY Gallery in Apgujeong, Seoul in 2023—and 11 group exhibitions that include The Third Project Show at Project Space Sarubia and From Eggs to Apples at Shinhan Gallery.