Korean 'glass art' wows Beijing

The Four Seasons series is on display in the exhibition. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Unique "glass art" was center of attention as a South Korean-China Cultural Exchange Exhibition opened at the Korean Cultural Center in Beijing on June 9.

With the theme Nature and Human, the exhibition showcases around 50 art pieces by members of Yi Lang Hui，an art group organized by Korean artist Hwang Young-hoon and his students. Hwang is the creator of "glass art" that produces paintings made of glass and paper. The combination of the two materials creates an artistic form that is expressive and concrete. The works on display explore the relationship between people and the environment.

"Yi Lang Hui was founded in South Korea but now there are more and more Chinese people joining, which brought much inspiration to the group. It is meaningful that Chinese and Korean artists make creations together." said Kim Jin-gon, head of the Korean Cultural Center and South Korean embassy counselor.

Yi Lang Hui was established in 1985 and this is the seventh time the group has staged an exhibition in China. Its founder, Hwang, 62, has chaired the Glass Art Association in South Korea since 1980 and his works have been exhibited at home and abroad, including the United States, Russia, Malaysia, Japan and the Czech Republic.

"We introduced new materials that had never been used before and we integrated the creative thought of art into our works," Hwang said. He stressed that the group pursues the uniqueness of artistic creations and aims to contribute to the diversity of art.

The exhibition is open until June 19.