Among LEE Jinju (b. 1980) and LIM Nosik (b. 1989), those familiar with art fairs will likely recognize LEE’s work. Her signature Black Paintings—in which hands and faces emerge from pitch-black darkness—are characterized by stark contrasts and an intense sense of depth, sometimes evoking an uncanny atmosphere. Through meticulous observation of her surroundings and personal experiences, LEE constructs visual narratives where memory and the unconscious, truth and fiction, coexist in a uniquely poetic way. Her solo exhibition is scheduled to open this August at ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL.
While LEE Jinju’s paintings blossom with the delicacy and clarity of a flower in full bloom, LIM Nosik’s works evoke the impression of a hazy dream. Through painting—a visual medium—he sensuously expresses subjects that cannot be seen. In his recent series, he uses a distinctive technique of smudging oil pastel over landscapes rendered in oil paint. This approach visualizes the spatial and temporal distance between the subject and the artist himself. By softening and erasing clear forms and contours, LIM metaphorically highlights the intangible emotional elements embedded within the pictorial scene.
August 16, 2025
