Matthew Langley & Soojung Park
Vibrant Duet
Helen J Gallery is pleased to present Vibrant Duet, an exhibition of large-scale color field paintings by New York-based artist Matthew Langley and pigment-saturated plexiglass works by Los Angeles-based artist Soojung Park.
Matthew Langley
Soojung ParkThrough their explorations of light and color, both artists offer dynamic reflections on the human condition. Their layered compositions give form to the spontaneity of the present while merging memories of the past as they are universal.
Langley’s paintings, characterized by vertical lines or circular abstractions, stem from his intuitive approach to developing color palettes. This exploration of color is the primary focus of Langley’s work, brought to life through a wet-on-wet technique that reveals thin layers of acrylic pigment akin to a developing story. Langley's process resembles the improvisation of a jazz musician, offering a captivating insight into the artist’s creation process.
Park works on plexiglass and other cast acrylic forms, casting layers of ink pigment onto etched and buffed surfaces. Each line of pigment represents a unique emotive state, reflecting the artist’s profound emotional depth. Park’s process involves both painting and un-painting, as pigments are rubbed away or layered over during the artist’s revisits.
The Vibrant Philosophy and Process of Matthew Langley's Art
Matthew Langley is an American contemporary artist whose work is captivating for its brilliant colors, dramatic compositions, and meditative depth. His works delve into the philosophy and methodology behind their creative process, particularly emphasizing the role of color and improvisation.
Installation of Matthew Langley’s exhibitionLangley emphasizes exploring color naturally based on personal experience than color theory. His work has increasingly centered around the exploration of color. This color approach is founded on my professional skills, drawing upon my broad knowledge rather than strictly adhering to color theory. The outcome of the work demonstrates a distinct and easily comprehensible comprehension of its genesis.
The artist's creations are predominantly spontaneous, as he immerses himself in the process without any premeditated drafts. He achieves better integration by employing the wet-on-wet technique with a staining brush. This approach achieves a harmonic balance and unity by effectively utilizing space and color. The main focus of his work, known as "Color Fields," involves the use of flat color lines that interact and merge with one other.
Process of Langley creating piecesLangley's artworks provide viewers with a captivating visual expedition. The artist wants the creative process to be visible in the final artwork, allowing viewers to see how the art was made and the decisions involved in its creation. From initial ideas, the artist lets the artwork uncover new ideas. Each piece of art reflects the decisions made during its creation, and this experimental approach not only influences the current work but also helps in developing future pieces.
Matthew Langley
Heather, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
40 x 48 in.
Heather, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
40 x 48 in.
"The painting is the painting. Let it be" -Matthew Langley
The Emergent Perspectives in Soojung Park's Art
Soojung Park is a Korean contemporary artist who applies artistic tools and pigments, without creating any conventional forms of sketched or painted pictures. Park's art effectively emphasizes and challenges physical existence. Through delicate cuts, these incisions she creates define the line separating the surrounding atmosphere from the artwork, making its physical boundaries more apparent and evident.
Installation of Soojung Park’s exhibitionThe lines Park creates in her artworks represent a form of energy. This can be interpreted as each line having its own identity and dynamic nature. The randomly appearing lines represent a never-ending occurrence. Each line and interaction offer different perspectives, indicating the complexity and multi-dimensionality of relationships.
When two lines interact, they create a new perspective that is unique and original. This "third" perspective is not merely a combination of the two but an entirely new viewpoint that emerges from their interaction. The artist highlights that the piece is not about each line's individuality or their limitless interactions.
Process of Park creating pieces
"I intend to experience and ask others to experience the "third" perspective which is represented by the spaces between the lines." - Soojung Park
Soojung Park
Dara and Kaldi, 2023
Ink on plexiglass
15 x 30 in.
can be sold separately
Dara and Kaldi, 2023
Ink on plexiglass
15 x 30 in.
can be sold separately
Soojung Park
Amin and Maru, 2023
Ink on plexiglass
17 x 17 in.
can be sold separately
Amin and Maru, 2023
Ink on plexiglass
17 x 17 in.
can be sold separately
Soojung ParkLane Senses, 2024
ink and pigments on plexiglass
24 x 48 in.
priced as one whole piece
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