Kukje Gallery is very pleased to present the solo exhibition of Bohnchang Koo, his second at the Gallery. Widely heralded as a leader in the development of modern Korean photography, Koo returned to Korea after studying in Germany in the early 1980s. Rejecting the documentary style then in vogue, Koo focused on composing and exhibiting fine art photography thereby establishing himself as a hugely influential member of the burgeoning contemporary art community.
Well-known for beautifully composed and meticulous prints, this exhibition seeks to highlight both his finished works in addition to the process behind his photographic practice. Recent works feature archeological and cultural treasures that the artist reframes through his photographs. This exhibition will also showcase some of Koo’s own objects, memorabilia and curios he has collected from all around the world as a tireless collector. This unique exhibition will contextualize the artist not only as a photographer but as a cultural anthropologist and a collector in his own right.
The exhibition will feature a broad range of the artist’s oeuvre including early street photography from the 1980s taken in Korea and abroad as well as new photographic compositions that document the artist’s various collections. New work on display will include the Masks and Vessels series that includes the photographs of Joseon period masks from the Musée Guimet, Paris (2009), 19th century stone works from The Japan Folk Arts Museum, Tokyo (2007) and Moon Jars from Itami Jun’s collection in Tokyo (2010).