A new exhibition of Korean folk painting by three Boston-area artists opens Saturday, Nov. 7, at LexArt in Lexington.
"KCSB: Beyond Minhwa" features work by Yoonsun Choi, Sunhee Hur and Yoonkyoung Ahn. Each reinterprets Minhwa, a traditional Korean folk art form rooted in the Joseon Dynasty, which spanned the 13th through 19th centuries. Minhwa paintings depicted scenes of everyday life.
The show runs through Nov. 22.
Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. An opening reception runs Sunday, Nov. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. The exhibition page does not list admission details.
Choi works with natural mineral pigments on hanji, a Korean mulberry paper, according to LexArt. Her paintings feature symbolic motifs: peonies representing prosperity, butterflies symbolizing joy, uncertainty and transformation. She blends traditional techniques with a contemporary style and hopes to preserve Minhwa's cultural heritage while sharing it with a wider audience.
Hur focuses on the Chaek-geo-ri style, a genre of Korean still-life painting from the Joseon Dynasty that translates to "books and things." The style uses Western-influenced linear perspective and shading. Hur also works in ceramics.
Ahn blends traditional imagery with elements of contemporary life, drawing on the symbolism, humor and storytelling found in Minhwa. She introduces familiar objects, personal memories and unexpected details into traditional compositions, exploring how old stories take on new meanings through connections between Korean and American cultures. Ahn views Minhwa not as an art form of the past but as a living tradition that continues to evolve and connect people across cultures and generations.
Upcoming community events:
- Nov. 7–22: "KCSB: Beyond Minhwa" at LexArt, Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 8: Opening reception, 2–4 p.m.
