Heesun Shin: whimsical riddle @ 251 Elizabeth St

Curated by Da Seul Lee and James Chen

Opening reception: November 2, from 6 to 9 PM

New York – What isn’t immediately noticeable when one happens upon a three-dimensional work by Heesun Shin is the essence of the material used to create it. They are often prosaic in nature, comprised of tools that were made with only utility in mind, such as bricks or nails. They lack an aesthetic purpose but it is their absence of poetic beauty in which Shin’s fascination lies as she drenches them in shimmer and gleam. It is this mix of her own quirky personality with her technical background that results in a fanciful body of work that is both enigmatic yet inviting.

Da Seul Lee and James Chen are proud to present whimsical riddle, Shin’s first solo exhibition in New York. Consisting of a brand new body of work, this exhibition is the culmination of Shin’s spirited venture into sculpture and assemblage in the past few years, although she prefers to use the term “conversations” rather than sculptures. This use of the word stems from the exchange of information between her and the object—not in an otherworldly sense, but as a daily practice that we, as human beings, have with one another. Our social construct allows us to learn more about ourselves through interaction and dialogue, and that is precisely what Shin explores with her process. But by removing the human body altogether and thus exposing its superfluous quality, she leaves us with abstractions that similarly describe emotion and sentiment.

Raised in an artistic household, Shin has been around industrial mediums throughout her life and grown accustomed to their presence. Titles of the work, such as “I Had A Dream That You Married An LA King Hockey Star” or “The Day is Bright And The Sun Is High” suggest a certain nostalgia that further emphasizes her relationship to material and bridges the connection between herself, the work, and the audience; It is clear that there is less of an interest in popular culture and more with visceral interpretations and genuine reactions. It’s refreshingly honest and self-evident, especially in a time and place where the concept of conceptual art carries a heavy curtain of ambiguity and alienation to those on the other side.

Heesun Shin (b. 1979, South Korea) enlivens us by questioning our judgments of value on ordinary objects and their defined meanings. Shin was raised in Los Angeles and currently lives and works in New York. She received both her MFA and BFA painting degrees at the School of Visual Arts. Shin has exhibited throughout the New York and California area, including a solo exhibition at Gem of Life, Los Angeles, as well as multiple group exhibitions at Industry City, Brooklyn; The Whitney Biennial, New York; DAVID & SCHWEITZER, Brooklyn; and the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art. Shin’s work has been published in numerous publications such as Elastic Magazine, CreativPaper, Studio Visit Magazine, and The Korea Times Newspaper.

She also has professional experience working at Suzanne McClellan Studio and Lisa Sigal Studio as well as On Stellar Rays Gallery, SPRING/BREAK Art Fair, and the Drawing Center. In early 2018, Shin will start her upcoming residency at The Studios in MASS MoCA.

Da Seul Lee (b. 1986, South Korea) first started her career as a global business development junior consultant at SK holdings C&C, after pursuing both her M.A and B.A education specialized in advertising and consumer behavior at Michigan State University. Following her entering the fashion industry as a brand assistant for the global menswear fashion masion, she has also assisted in curating three art collaborations with emerging international artists. These unique experiences fueled her desire to explore the art industry, which she is currently studying in the Art Business master’s program at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Her current internship at the Elizabeth Dee gallery and various internship experiences keep expanding her aesthetic perspectives, and analysis in the arts.

James Chen (b. 1993, Canada) is an artist, curator, and art advisor based in New York City. He grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, but moved to the east coast to study painting at the Rhode Island School of Design. Shortly after, he completed his Master’s program at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, graduating with a degree in Art Business and specializing in contemporary art. Chen has since worked on multiple curatorial projects throughout the city and continues to find opportunities to support emerging artists. He currently works at Pace Gallery where he serves as a Dealer’s Assistant. Previous experiences include gallery internships at both Paul Kasmin and The Suzanne Geiss Company. His academic background, combined with a magnetism to both the subject and industry of art, gives him a unique and sophisticated perspective of the art world.

251 Elizabeth Street
November 1 – 5 / 10am – 8pm
Opening reception: November 2 / 6-9pm

For all press and sales inquires, please contact: James Chen, 401-241-0758 or jameschen163@gmail.com. Or Da Seul Lee, 917-565-2456 or daseul2.lee@gmail.com