SUNG NEUNG KYUNG: OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: THE ARTISTIC MEANDERINGS OF SUNG NEUNG KYUNG
Lehmann Maupin is pleased to present Off the beaten track: the artistic meanderings of Sung Neung Kyung, the artist’s first solo exhibition outside of Korea.
October 18 – November 9, 2024
Off the beaten track: the artistic meanderings of Sung Neung Kyung is a retrospective of the artist’s decades-long artistic career, featuring works from the 1970s to the present. Recognized as a pioneering figure in South Korean avant-garde art, Sung is known for his exploration of unconventional mediums including performance, photography, and archival methods to examine the construction of knowledge and power, often in response to sociopolitical friction.
As a key member of the influential art collective ‘Space & Time’ throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Sung’s artistic practice was shaped by conceptual art and the political turmoil of South Korean democracy. His work often features everyday objects and deconstructs established forms, using his body to engage the public and transform the mundane into the provocative. Sung’s practice is process-oriented, focusing on ephemeral works and unique performances documented as photographic installations.
Off the beaten track: the artistic meanderings of Sung Neung Kyung unites crucial pieces of Sung’s artistic practice. As one of the first Korean artists to embrace photography in the 1970s, Sung's interest in the medium began while working with newspapers; he staged performances where he cut out the text of articles, leaving only ads and images. In Reading newspaper, presented in the gallery as a printable film, Sung cuts out headlines from local papers until only skeletal frames remain. This act demonstrates that meanings are shaped not by fixed definitions, but by their public usage and expression.
Off the beaten track: the artistic meanderings of Sung Neung Kyung represents a pivotal moment in Sung's artistic career, offering a space to critically examine the connections between art, politics, and daily life. This exhibition encourages viewers to immerse themselves in Sung's creative techniques—from his inventive use of everyday materials to his performances. By questioning traditional narratives and fostering public engagement, Sung reshapes the artist's role in society, urging viewers to rethink their relationships with media and language.