Ha Chong-Hyun, a leading figure of the Korean Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting) movement, will receive his first North American museum retrospective at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The exhibition, titled 'Ha Chong-Hyun: Retrospective,' opens on September 25 and will feature approximately 50 paintings spanning over 60 years of his career, including new works and pieces showcasing his signature 'Back Pressure Technique.'
The retrospective is a significant event for the visibility of Korean art in the United States, marking the first solo presentation of a Korean artist at the Asian Art Museum and the first major U.S. retrospective of a Korean artist since the Guggenheim's 2011 Lee Ufan show. Its timing coincides with a planned exhibition at SFMOMA involving BTS leader RM's art collection, creating a concentrated 'Korea moment' in San Francisco that aligns with the 50th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between San Francisco and Seoul.