Kim Ran Debuts “Throw Back” Solo Exhibition Showcasing Threadlike Hanok and Global Paintings
Updated (2 articles)
Exhibition Launch and Duration at Rho Gallery Kim Ran opened her first solo show, “Throw Back,” on Feb. 20, 2026 at Rho Gallery in Insa‑dong, Seoul, and the exhibition will remain on view until March 5, 2026 [1]. The opening attracted local art critics and a sizable public audience, highlighting the artist’s emergence on the Seoul contemporary scene. Rho Gallery promoted the show as a milestone for the Daegu Arts University graduate, emphasizing its blend of domestic and international subjects.
Threadlike Technique Uses Needle‑Sized Paint Application Kim applies paint through a tiny opening, producing needle‑sized lines that interlace to form dense, layered images [1]. She works up to twelve hours a day, describing the process as meditative and energizing, which allows her to build intricate visual “chains” linking past, present, and potential futures. The technique creates a distinctive texture that distinguishes her work from conventional brushstroke methods.
Korean Hanok Architecture Inspires Curved Roof Motifs The exhibition features depictions of hanok neighborhoods in Jeonju, Andong, and Seoul, translating the curved rooflines of traditional Korean houses into threadlike forms [1]. These motifs serve as visual anchors that suggest invisible connections among people and places. Kim emphasizes that the hanok elements convey cultural memory while inviting viewers to contemplate architectural continuity.
International Landmarks Expand Memory Exploration Alongside Korean subjects, Kim includes the Empire State Building, the London Eye, and Prague’s Vltava River, extending her layered narrative beyond domestic borders [1]. These global sites are rendered with the same threadlike precision, linking personal and collective histories across continents. The inclusion underscores her intent to map memory on a worldwide scale.
Artist Reflects on Decade‑Long Development and Viewer Impact A 2016 Daegu Arts University graduate, Kim settled on her current style in 2019 and notes gradual shifts in line thickness and density throughout the exhibition [1]. She aims for emotional resonance, hoping audiences linger before her paintings to experience a deep, lasting impact. Kim views the show as both a personal milestone and a dialogue with viewers about time and memory.
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Timeline
2016 – Kim Ran graduates from Daegu Arts University, establishing the academic foundation for the layered, threadlike painting technique she later refines [1].
2019 – Kim Ran settles on her current needle‑sized line style, gradually adjusting line thickness and density to deepen visual depth, a pivotal shift that defines the aesthetic of her debut solo show [1].
Feb 12, 2026 – Moonassi declares that “black alone can express the full emotional spectrum,” emphasizing his disciplined line‑by‑line method on absorbent hanji and hinting at possible future expansion into color [2].
Feb 13, 2026 – Moonassi’s two‑month solo exhibition “The Season We Fade Away” at Space K Seoul Museum of Art closes, having presented about 30 ink‑on‑hanji works and a piece from BTS leader RM’s personal collection, illustrating the crossover between Korean pop culture and contemporary art [2].
Feb 20, 2026 – Kim Ran launches her first solo exhibition “Throw Back” at Rho Gallery in Insa‑dong, Seoul, featuring layered, threadlike paintings of Korean hanok neighborhoods and global landmarks; she describes the interlaced lines as “chains linking past, present and possible futures,” inviting viewers to linger for emotional resonance [1].
Mar 5, 2026 – Kim Ran’s “Throw Back” exhibition concludes after a two‑week run, marking the end of a showcase that highlights her meditative, up‑to‑12‑hours‑daily process of applying paint through a tiny opening to create intricate, memory‑evoking compositions [1].