Spring in Geoje is deeply infused with the scent of art. ‘Gallery Yesulsum’ located in Ilun-myeon, Geoje City, will host a special exhibition titled ‘Light, Color, Line, Love – Four Masters from Honam’ for two months from the 29th to June 28th.

This exhibition, a special family month event, follows the success of the ‘Special Exhibition of Yang Dal-seok,’ a master of modern and contemporary art from Geoje, which concluded with great acclaim in April. Visitors can experience the essence of four elder painters from the Honam region, who have adorned Korean modern and contemporary art history, all in one place.

Four Artists, Four Styles: Encountering the Essence of Korean Modern and Contemporary Art

The exhibition, centered around the collection of the Haejo Eum Museum of Art in Hacheong-myeon, illuminates each of the four masters through distinct artistic keywords, encouraging in-depth appreciation.

‘Oh Ji-ho of Light’ is a pioneer who established ‘Korean Impressionism.’ He captured the vibrancy of nature with clear and bright colors and is regarded as a figure who laid the foundation for Western painting in the Honam region.

‘Im Jik-soon of Color,’ like his nickname ‘The Matisse of Korea,’ warmly depicted the human inner world and the essence of life through restrained colors and simple forms.

‘Bae Dong-shin of Line,’ a ‘master of watercolor,’ built a unique painting world harmonizing free lines and a contemplative atmosphere, using subjects such as nudes, harbors, and Mudeungsan Mountain.

‘Son Sang-gi of Love,’ living up to his moniker ‘The Toulouse-Lautrec of Korea,’ left a mark on Korean contemporary expressionism by depicting human existence and solitude with intense brushstrokes and thick textures.

A Meeting of Sight and Scent: An Exhibition Room Filled with Geoje's Yuzu Fragrance

The highlight of this exhibition is the harmony between art and industry. With the sponsorship of ‘Juno Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.,’ a specialized essential oil company from Dongbu-myeon, Geoje City, the exhibition space has been filled with the scent of yuzu, a specialty of Geoje.

This scent marketing, aiming for the ‘Proust effect’ where a specific scent evokes memories, will offer visitors synesthetic healing beyond just visual experience, as the sea breeze of the southern coast and the yuzu fragrance blend with the artworks.

Curator Ham Eui-jeong (Ph.D. in Literature) of Gallery Yesulsum stated, "Along with the 'Four Masters from Honam' exhibition in the second gallery, the installation art exhibition 'Island, Ways of Love' will be held concurrently in the first gallery," adding, "It will become a cultural tourism hotspot that conveys the depth of Namdo art to Geoje citizens and tourists alike."

The exhibition is organized by Haejo Eum Museum of Art and Gallery Yesulsum, and planned by Gaia Inc., an art corporation. Admission is free, and the museum is closed every Monday and Tuesday. Advance reservations are required for a smooth viewing experience.

By Reporter Lim Yo-hee