Rok Hee Hwang: Gallerist, Curator, and Promoter of Contemporary Korean Art
Rok Hee Hwang is a prominent South Korean gallerist and curator dedicated to introducing compelling established and emerging Korean contemporary artists to a wider global audience, with a particular focus on the London art scene. As the founder and director of the Mews Gallery in Gangneung-Si, South Korea, Hwang maintains an active international curatorial and promotional practice.
Her commitment to bridging Korean art with European audiences was powerfully demonstrated by her role as director of the Korean Art London (KAL) event, which launched its first edition in 2023. As part of this effort, Hwang co-curated the exhibition Sang Woon Nam: BLUE at Aleph Contemporary's Hatton Garden venue, The Bindery, from July 4 to September 6, 2023, alongside Vivienne Roberts. This focused satellite show of KAL provided a deep dive into the work of artist Sang Woon Nam and his extraordinary 'Blue Moon' series of hyperrealist paintings.
The exhibition centered on Nam's meticulous, large-scale representations of lotus leaves, defined by a signature, intensely saturated ultramarine blue hue that he spent over fifteen years developing. The primary subject, the lotus leaf, functions as a traditional South Korean and Buddhist symbol of purity and enlightenment. Hwang's curatorial approach allowed the viewer to appreciate the technical mastery—a single work can take years to complete—as well as the profound thematic content, which subtly satirizes worldly desires while exploring the complex human experience. Through shows like BLUE, Rok Hee Hwang is integral in showcasing the technical excellence and deep cultural resonance of contemporary Korean painting.