One of Korea’s foremost contemporary artists, Hong Kyoungtack is widely known for his dazzlingly-colored paintings of colored pencils and studies and the Funkestra series. Working with a set of items deliberately chosen from everyday life, such as pencils, pens, and books, Hong rearranges his objects into exquisite formal compositions that discharge explosive energy and a sense of visual humor. Hong’s objects, standardized through his unique system of measurements, are slotted into various configurations and form new, unexpected personalities. His painterly composition, following a lighthearted and straightforward visual language of amusement, allows viewers to easily communicate and access the works of art. The canvases, densely populated with skulls, dolls, plants, pencils, and books, present a set of symbolisms and allegories that complete Hong’s twofold delight that interweaves the cheerful with sincere and lighthearted with profound.

Hong graduated from Kyungwon University with a degree in painting. In addition to the solo exhibition The Great Epics (Daegu Art Museum, 2020), Hong was featured in solo shows at Indang Museum, Daegu (2019), Perigee Gallery, Seoul (2014), Doosan Gallery, Seoul (2012), and Cais Gallery, Hong Kong (2012). He took part in more than one hundred group exhibitions at various esteemed institutions, including Alternative Space LOOP, Seoul (2011), PLATEAU, Seoul (2011), Vyom Art Center, India (2011), Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (MNBA), Argentina (2008), and Singapore Art Museum (2008). Hong was the winner of Lee In-sung Art Prize in 2003 and won the second edition of the Artist of the Year award in 2008.