I Once Saw a Man Who Stood Still W1/30

Jung-Uk Yang is an artist who transforms modest everyday moments into “moving sculptures” (kinetic art) by combining wood, thread, motors, light bulbs, and other analog materials with mechanical devices. He was selected as the final recipient of the Korea Artist Prize 2024, co-hosted by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the SBS Foundation, establishing himself as one of the notable figures in contemporary Korean art. Ranging from large-scale installations to drawings and writings, his works convey warm human stories, offering audiences comfort and delight. At the core of his practice lies an interest in the human heart. He states, “If the motor is the force that drives machines, then the heart is the force that moves people,” devoting his inquiry to what makes life move. The essence of his installations, which bring together machines and analog materials, is movement itself. Neither machines nor humans remain in an absolute state of stillness; even in quiet, subtle vibrations persist, maintaining balance. Gallery SoSo hosted his first solo exhibition, 《The shop where we said mere "Hello"》, and in 2022 presented his solo exhibition 《Without any Words》, further showcasing his artistic vision.