Whitestone Gallery is honored to present Serenity, a captivating group exhibition featuring the works of distinguished artists: Soonik Kwon, Masayuki Tsubota, and the duo Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin. Each artist brings a unique perspective and technique, creating a dialogue that explores the intersections of culture, memory, and the natural world.

Soonik Kwon (b.1959) was born in Seoul, Korea. He graduated from the Fine Arts Department at the Sejong University. His mixed media paintings and installations were exhibited more than 30 times in solo exhibitions and more than 50 times in group exhibitions all over the world. Soonik Kwon's technique involves repeatedly applying a mixture of fine soil and paint on canvas, allowing it to dry before rubbing and piling graphite onto the interstitial spaces. He fills gaps between color surfaces with graphite, creating a visual narrative of healing and memory. His works are the result of patience and time, such layering of paint often takes up to a month to complete. Through this continuous practice, the artwork takes shape in silent progression, allowing the artist to gradually forget himself. This ongoing state of selflessness embodies the artist's philosophical approach to creation — to live in the moment.

Born in 1976 in Osaka, Japan, Masayuki Tsubota (b.1976) is known for his exquisite carving and polishing techniques, which define his minimal aesthetic. His works, crafted from natural materials like wood and stone, undergo a meticulous process of repetitive scraping to create interwoven and eroded lines. This technique, combined with the use of painting pigments, generates dynamic visual effects that resonate within the space. Inspired by his admiration for ancient wooden temples, Tsubota mainly uses wood as his medium, treating it as a “living, breathing organism” that responds to its environment. Through careful selection of wood types and repetitive processes of sanding, cutting, and scraping, he infuses his breath and pulse into his artwork, creating a balance between sharpness and softness in the carved textures. His vibrant hues awaken viewers' sensitivity to color, encouraging a reevaluation of subtle emotions and memories that often go unnoticed.

Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin (b.1980), a collaborative sculpting duo since 2010, are graduates of the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts. Together, they create thought-provoking works that explore the dynamic relationship between body and form. Li Wei represents the 'body,' while Liu Zhiyin embodies the 'form', infusing the body with essence, energy, and spirit. This interplay creates a rich narrative that explores the beauty and elegance of sculpture. Drawing inspiration from traditional Oriental culture, the duo integrates contemporary sculptural experiences into their practice. Their works serve as visual vessels for transcendent spiritual insights, employing color trends to evoke emotional responses and reach the soul through sight. The temperament of their sculptural language harmonizes with the essence of traditional Eastern philosophies, allowing for a dialogue between current human experiences and timeless ideals.

This exhibition unveils the depth and complexity of artistic expression through the distinct voices of Soonik Kwon, Masayuki Tsubota, and Li Wei & Liu Zhiyin. Each piece invites viewers into a realm where time slows, allowing the creative process to unfold as a meditative journey. Through their dedicated creations, they reveal not only the beauty of their materials but also the profound connection between the artists and their art.