Hyun Ae Kang introduces to us novelty in the concept of texture with her Voice of The Sacred exhibition at Shatto Gallery. Her abundance of styles provides a satisfaction with not simply the licks off the canvas, but of smears, of glistens, of intensities in simplicity as well as in ornamentation. Hers is a delicious imaginary insight into what can be described as geometrical beauty.

Snow 7H19
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2019, 20″x24″. Courtesy of the artist Hyun Ae Kang and Shatto Gallery.

For to know geometry is to know exacting measures of space. When this exactness is repeated, we have a more directly aligned beauty in its relation to harmony. For harmony has repetitive agreement, best represented by circular motion – a sense of centeredness. And it is this balance that Ms. Kang demonstrates conclusively.

Sky J-3
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2020, 12″x12″ (13.5″ x 13.5″ with frame). Courtesy of Hyun Ae Kang and Shatto Gallery.

Window in Heaven 7A22
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2022, 60″x48″. Courtesy of Hyun Ae Kang and Shatto Gallery.

The terrific accomplishment is in the extension of the variety of her achievements. Each one is a self-reliant fulfillment of what beauty ought to be: a grounding of our existing presence. Not something disposable. Not something that can be repeatedly produced to then decay. Beauty in its ideal form is timeless, unchanging; permanent. Permanent beauty is the goal of the arts, and visually realized is the goal of the fine artist.

What we can admire best with Ms. Kang’s goals is in the array of the textures with her geometry to provide that necessary element of natural friction that human beings experience in extending outward to achieve these necessary ends: that of permanent beauty. For why else did our ancestors strive, suffer-long, desire, to give a better today for living? And what is the good life but constantly pursuing permanent beauty?

Parhelion 1A22
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2022, 60″x48″. Courtesy of Hyun Ae Kang and Shatto Gallery.

The Korean-American artist introduces daring – and succeeds – with the scaling of her artworks yet remaining consistently original in her balancing act. The wise choice of blues to impose not vigor but delicate strength in appearance is the very act of soothing, of softening, of relaxing the mind and its endless anxieties that can arise. Would this not be best placed where tranquility is most desired? One’s own private residency?

Grace 1J23
Mixed Media, 2023, 96″x612″. Courtesy of Hyun Ae Kang and Shatto Gallery.

To know for certain there is peace on Earth because one can command it is a special prize for being made human: the ability to will a more perfect world. Let us then delight in an overpowering grace with Ms. Kang’s works of fine art.

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