Kyung-Sup Byun
Gyeongsang-do, Korea, Republic of
22 Works exhibited on Kooness
Current location
Gwangju
Represented by
Works by Kyung-Sup Byun
Byun Kyung-Sup is a Korean artist born in 1957 who lives and works in Gwangju, Korea. She studied painting at the College of Fine Arts, Hongik University in Seoul where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1980. Shortly after she moved to Arlington, Texas with her husband where she dedicated her time rearing her children. Although from a wealthy family, she never considered their help a fallback and chose to build her life independently. During this period, she took up a job as a seamstress, which was one of many occupational identities she embodied to support her family. This is when she discovered the beauty and pain of an honest, albeit painstaking, labor. It wasn’t until 20 years later that she returned to Korea to study Fine Arts in the Graduate School of Chonnam University in Gwangju, Korea and held her paintbrush again. Ever since, her day-to-day work has been focused on painting infinite dots, which reflects her experience as a seamstress and her love of stiches. She now resides in Gwangju, Korea with her husband, a retired professor. She translates the concept of sewing into her work. Each tiny dot in her paintings resembles a stitch that requires a precise, purposeful brushstroke. Just like you can’t simply glue one garment to another, and each piece of clothing a result of a meaningful compilation of stitches, her work seeks to connect the seemingly insignificant dots to create a dimension for self-reflection and to remind myself that what may seem like a small dot can be part of a much larger, beautiful picture.
By exquisitely using a dot-painting technique, artist Byun Kyung-Sup expresses universal human experience based on her life in Korea and the U.S.
“As we look at Byun Kyung-Sup’s works which the artist creates with dots in diverse colors as if they are fine stitching, we can realize the weight contained in our thoughtless moments, and we can also read signs of hope within them.
Infinite dots in her work hope to resonate with anyone who has experienced hardship and frustration; they represent a pledge not to live a life of foregoing honest labor, a decision not to escape from the suffering that has come, and a belief that it will be meaningful even in this difficult time.
Sewing for Byun is not merely the representation of life experience restricted to women in the traditional framework of gendered division of labor. Her art goes beyond feminism. It is an ode to those who sacrifice their own talents to support another, record the sadness for the talent wasted in the process, and pray earnestly for seeing the recovery. After all, like a phrase from Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891), there is no “blameless soul (âme sans défauts),” whether man or woman, whether Korean or non-Korean. Whilst we are confused by the shades of Big Discourses, and losing the fundamentals to humanity in the tumultuous market, Byun’s works offer meanings to the little moment of everyday life and lay them before us as calmly and meticulously as if she is praying.”
BFA from the College of Fine Arts, Hongik University, Seoul, Korea
MFA from the Graduate School of Chonnam University, Gwangju, Korea
Completed course works in Fine Arts at the Brookhaven College, Dallas, U.S.A.
Member of Korea Women Fine Artists Association, Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Association, Korea Professionale Artists Association, Hongik Alumni Association
Displayed in (digital print): Lotte City Hotel (Seoul and Ulsan), Days Inn Hotel (Seoul)
Permanent collection at: Chonnam National University Hospital, Jeju Stone Park Obaek-Jang-Goon Gallery
Solo Exhibitions
2021
Solo Invitation Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju)
2020
Solo Invitation Exhibition(Jeju Store park Obaek-jang-goon Gallery, Jeju)
2017
Solo Exhibition(N music Gallery, Gwangju)
Solo Exhibition(Conti Gallery, Soonchon)
2015
Solo Invitation Exhibition(CNUH Gallery, Gwangju)
Solo Exhibition(Daein Gallery, Gwangju)
2013
Solo Exhibition(GMA Gallery Seoul)
Solo Exhibition(U-square cultural center, Gwangju)
2012
Solo Exhibition(Topohaus, Seoul)
2011
Solo Exhibition(Gaon Gallery, Incheon)
2000
Solo Exhibition(Moro Gallery, Seoul)
Solo Exhibition(Koongdong Gallery, Gwangju)
Group Exhibitions
2019
Wawoo Yeol Exhibition(Gallery H, Seoul)
Professional Artists Art Festival, “Hope of East and West”(DeuYoung Museum, Gwangju)
Korea Women Artists Group Exhibition(The Chosun Ilbo Museum, Seoul)
International Women Artists Art Festival, “Motherhood-Hope of The World”(Cental House of Art Workers, Moscow, Russia)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Professional Artists “Beijing International Exchange Exhibition”(Wooki Museum, Beijing, China)
International Women Artists Art Festival, “Passage of Time”(INWAA, Ulaabaatar, Mongolia)
“Bodeumda” Exhibition(Palais de Seoul Gallery, Seoul)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Special Exhibition(Mokdam Gallery, Gwangju)
2018
The Record of Woof and Warp Exhibition(Muan Seoungwoo Oh Museum, Muan)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Invitation Exhibition for Love Sharing(Chonnam National University Hospital Gallery, Gwangju)
Professional Artists East & West Exchange Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
International Women Artists Art Festival, “Memory & History”(ACC Creation Studio Bakryeon joho Gallery, Gwangju)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Gwangju University Museum, Gwangju)
Fine Art Exhibition: Professional Artists of National Branch Invitation Exhibition( Daegu Culture & Art Center, Daegu)
2017
Green Sheep Dream Exibition(Beauty Museum, Gwangju)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Special Exhibition(Jami Gallery, Gwangju)
Professional Artists East & West Exchange Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Disabled and Non-disabled Persons Culture & Art Festival, “Damoogi Exhibition”(Gwangju Biennale Gallery, Gwangju)
JPG Exhibition(Spring Gallery, Gwangju)
International Women Artists Art Festival, “Space of Time Exhibition”(The Whiteaway Arcade, Georgetown, Malaysia)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Eunam Museum, Gwangju)
2016
Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Gwangju University Museum, Gwangju)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition, “Walking on Dream Exhibition”(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
International Women Artists Art Festival, “Scouts: Prospest for Change”(Gwangju Folk Museum, Gwangju)
Korea Women Artists Group Exhibition(Misool Segae Gallery, Seoul)
Korea Women Artists Group Invitation Exhibition of Anjelli Museum(Anjelli Museum, Yongin)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Special Exhibition(Bakmin Museum, Bosung)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Special Exhibition, “Walking together”(Jami Gallery, Gwangju)
Professional Artists East & West Exchange Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Donation of Work of Art Special Exhibition(Chonnan National University Hospital Gallery, Gwangju)
2015
Two Artists Invitation Exhibition of Onyou Gallery(Onyou Gallery, Seoul)
Special Exhibition of Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists, “Boda”(Jami Gallery, Gwangju)
Korea Women Artists Group Exhibition(Hangaram Museum Seoul Art Center, Seoul)
Korea Women Artists Group Traveling Exhibition in Daegu(Daegu Culture & Art Center, Daegu)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition(Daedong Gallery, Gwangju)
Professional Artists Group Exhibition, “East and West Dream Art Festival”(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Bakmin Museum Invitation Exhibition of Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists(Bakmin Museum, Bosung)
Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Chonnam National University Museum, Gwangju)
Gwangju International Contemporary Art Festival(Gwangju Biennale Gallery, Gwangju)
Disabled and Non-disabled Persons Culture & Art Festival, “Damoogi Exhibition”(Gwangju Biennale Gallery, Gwangju)
International Women Artists Festival, “Aspect do Art”(Yokohama BanKART Studio NYK, Yokohama, Japan)
2014
“Through the eyes of the mother” Exhibition(The Korean Cultural Center, Chicago, USA)
Exhibition of Korea Women Artists Group(Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul)
Gangneung Museum of Art Invitation Exhibition of Korea Women Artists Group(Gangneung Museum of Art, Gangneung)
Sewolho Exhibition(Metro Gallery, Gwangju)
“Danjjak” Exhibition of Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists(Jimi Gallery, Gwangju)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition((Gwangju Museum of Art Sangrok Hall, Gwangju)
Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Okgwa Museum, Okgwa)
International Women Artists Art Festival, “Garden of Flame”(Gwangju Folk Museum, Gwangju)
Professional Artists Art Festival, “Dream of East and West”(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Professional Artists “Beijing International Exchange Exhibition”(Mudeung Gallery, Gwangju)
“Through the eyes of the mother” Exhibition(Bakryeon Gallery, Gwangju)
Bakmin Museum Invitation Exhibition of Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group(Bakmin Museum)
2013
Is it spring yet Exhibition(Bryn Athyn College Fine Arts Building, Philadelphia, USA)
Korea Women Artists Association Exhibition(Insa Art Center, Seoul)
Special Invitation Exhibition of four Women Artists(Eunam Gallery, Gwangju)
East and West Communication with Future Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Sangrok Hall, Gwangju)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Pop Store Exhibition(Mudeung Gallery, Gwangju)
A Special Exhibition of Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists, “Eye of Creation”(Eunam Gallery, Gwangju)
The 18th Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Eunam Gallery, Gwangju)
2012
Invitation Exhibitation of Veteran Artists(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Korea Women Artists Association Exhibition (Hangaram Gallery, Seoul)
Oh Hoppy Day Exhibition(Bunny Museum, LA, USA)
Nomas Website Exhibition
A Starry Sky Exhibition(Skyeon Gallery, Seoul)
The 17th Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Eunam Gallery, Gwangju)
International Women Art Exhibition(Metro Gallery, Gwangju)
Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition(Mudeung Gallery, Gwangju)
Young-Honam Exchange Exhibition(Geumho Gallery, Gwangju)
2011
Invitation Exhibition of Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group(Dongbak Gallery, Yeosu)
International Women Art Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
The Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhabition(Gwangju Museum of Art Geumnamro Branch, Gwangju)
Invitation Exhibition of the Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group(Wolyagisan Museum, Hampyung)
Invitation Exhibition of Eunam Gallery(Eunam Gallery, Gwangju)
The Exhibition of Light(Tahwa River Exhibition Hall, Ulsan)
2010
The Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition(Daedong Gallery, Yeosu)
A group of Four Women Artists Group Exhibition(Sian Gallery, Gwangju)
The 15th Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Jari Art Gallery, Gwangju)
Invitation Exhibition of Mokpo Culture & Art Center( Mokpo Culture & Art Center, Mokpo)
2009
The 14th Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Mudeung Gallery, Gwangju)
2002
The Gwangju-Chonnam Women Artists Group Exhibition(Nambong Gallery, Gwangju)
The 16th South Region Contemporary Art Festival(Jeju Culture Center, Jeju)
The 8th Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Koongdong Gallery, Gwangju)
The Epoque Exhibition(Bakmin Museum, Bosung)
The joint Exhibition of Hwangto & Contemporary Epoque Associations(Museum of Sejong Cultural Center, Seoul)
2001
South Region Contemporary Art Festival(Daejeon Museum of Art, Daejeon)
Daegu Gwangju Gwangdo Exchange Exhibition of Women Artists(Gwangdo Hyunmin Culture Center, Japan)
The 7th Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Koongdong Gallery, Gwangju)
The Interpretation of Snakes Exhibition(Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju)
2000
The 14th South Region Contemporary Art Festival(Gumi Culture & Art Center, Gumi)
The 2nd Seumim Exhibition(Gungeon Gallery, Gwangju)
The World in Female, Female in the World Exhibition(Shinsegae Gallery, Gwangju)
Contemporary Art & Korean Women 100 Years Exibition(Shinsegae Gallery, Incheon)
The 6th Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Mudeung Art Center, Gwangju)
1999
The 15th South Region Contemporary Art Festival(Kyungnam Culture & Art Center, Chinju)
Profile of Contemporary Art: The Latter 90’s in Japan and Korea(International Art Center of Gyoto, Japan)
Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Gwangeun Gallery, Gwangju)
The 1st Seumim Exhibition(Gungeon Gallery, Gwangju)
1998
The Eight Graduate Members Exhibition(Mudeung Gallery, Gwangju)
Contemporary Art & IMF Exhibition(Choheung Art Center, Gwangju)
Hongik Alumni Exhibition(Namdo Art Center, Gwangju)
1979
The 6th Independents(National Museum of Modern Art, Seoul)
1979-80
The 5th-7th Hongik Print Group Exhibition(Gwanhoon Gallery, Seoul)