Burnt Umber & Ultramarine Blue 2007

Yun Hyong-keun made this untitled painting with oil on cotton, and its creamy off-white and earthy dark colors sit side by side in two columns, a study in contrast. This painting is all about the feel of the thing. I find myself drawn to the raw edges where these two colors meet – it’s not a crisp line, but an almost organic interface where the dark pigment bleeds slightly into the canvas, so the surface looks porous. Looking at the top right corner of the painting, the dark paint pools in places, a reminder of the artist's hand and the physical properties of the medium. It's like looking at a Rothko, but with a twist. There’s a conversation happening here with artists like Barnett Newman, maybe because of the vertical stripes, but Hyong-keun brings something new to the table. With its quiet contemplation, this painting is less about grand statements and more about the intimate exchange between artist, material, and viewer.