Space√K | Sobin Park, The Birth of Mir

Dates | September 12 (Sat) – October 3 (Sat), 2026  *Closed Sundays and Mondays

Opening Reception | September 12 (Sat), 17:00–19:00

Venue | Space√K (√K Contemporary B1F)

Hours | 13:00–19:00

Supported by | Korean Cultural Center in Japan, Korean Cultural Center in China

 

This exhibition is held in memory of, and with gratitude to, the late Ben Hauptmann.

From Saturday, September 12 through Saturday, October 3, 2026, √K Contemporary will present “The Birth of Mir,” the first solo exhibition in Japan by Korean artist Park Sobin, in Space√K, the gallery’s underground alternative space.

Park draws inspiration from the imagery of the dragon and the legend of the Silla-era monk Uisang and the woman Seonmyo, associated with Buseoksa Temple in Korea. Her master’s thesis examined the symbolism and formative qualities of the dragon, and her practice has remained grounded in East Asian art history and aesthetics ever since. Working primarily in pencil drawing, she creates dynamic yet delicate mythological worlds, and has exhibited across South Korea, China, the United States, Italy, and Greece, at institutions including the Gwangju Museum of Art, Spazio SV in Venice, and the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York. She received the 20th Gwangju Art Award in 2014 and has served as an international professor at Hebei Academy of Fine Arts in China, maintaining an active practice across both artmaking and art education. Her work is held in the collections of the Gwangju Museum of Art and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Gwangju, among others.

Marking her first solo exhibition in Japan, the show brings together several of Park’s large-scale works alongside new pieces, offering a comprehensive view of her practice. The exhibition’s title, “The Birth of Mir,” takes its name from “mir (미르),” an old Korean word for “dragon.” It refers both to the dragon that has remained Park’s enduring subject and to the story of Seonmyo, who transformed herself into a dragon to protect Uisang. We invite you to experience the dynamic mythological world Park brings to life through her pencil drawings.

An opening reception will be held on the exhibition’s first day, Saturday, September 12, from 5pm.
Park Sobin will be in attendance, and we warmly invite you to join us.

 

 

 

IMAGES

  • 《The New Myth》(2023) 240×570cm Pencil, bronze powder on paper

  • 《The Birth of Mir》(2026) 240×450cm Pencil, bronze powder on paper

  • 《in love》(2023) 128×93cm Silkscreen on paper

  • 《Dream》(2026) 54×38.5cm Pencil, watercolor, transparent film on paper

  • 《The Dreaming》(2025) 100×80cm Silkscreen on paper

ARTISTS

Sobin Park
Sobin Park

Born 1971 in Gwangju, South Korea. Park earned her BFA from Mokpo National University and her MFA from Chosun University. She has dedicated herself to drawing since her first solo exhibition in 1993, building a career as an international artist. She has held 15 solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions in Gwangju, Seoul, Thessaloniki, and New York. In 2009, she received the Young Artist Award from the Gwangju Museum of Art. She has participated in several residency programs, including the Young Artist Residency in Gwangju, the Gwangju Museum of Art’s Force Gallery residency in Beijing, Bushwick Open Studios in Brooklyn, and the Vermont Studio Center. Her solo exhibition at the Chelsea Art Museum (2009, New York) was reviewed in ArtNews and Art in America, among other publications. Her notable solo exhibitions include Today Art Museum (2017, Beijing), Sanhe Classic Car Museum Art Space (2019, Chengdu), Laboratorium-Venezia (2019, Venice), and Elga Gallery (2020, New York).

Education
1996 MFA, Chosun University, Gwangju
1993 BFA, Mokpo National University, Mokpo

Public Collections
Shangyi Art Museum, Hangzhou, China / Sanhe Classic Car Museum, Chengdu, China / Museum of Contemporary Art Crete, Greece / Gwangju City Museum of Art, Gwangju, South Korea / Mokpo National University Museum, Mokpo, South Korea / The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, South Korea

Sobin Park
Sobin Park

Born 1971 in Gwangju, South Korea. Park earned her BFA from Mokpo National University and her MFA from Chosun University. She has dedicated herself to drawing since her first solo exhibition in 1993, building a career as an international artist. She has held 15 solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions in Gwangju, Seoul, Thessaloniki, and New York. In 2009, she received the Young Artist Award from the Gwangju Museum of Art. She has participated in several residency programs, including the Young Artist Residency in Gwangju, the Gwangju Museum of Art’s Force Gallery residency in Beijing, Bushwick Open Studios in Brooklyn, and the Vermont Studio Center. Her solo exhibition at the Chelsea Art Museum (2009, New York) was reviewed in ArtNews and Art in America, among other publications. Her notable solo exhibitions include Today Art Museum (2017, Beijing), Sanhe Classic Car Museum Art Space (2019, Chengdu), Laboratorium-Venezia (2019, Venice), and Elga Gallery (2020, New York).

Education
1996 MFA, Chosun University, Gwangju
1993 BFA, Mokpo National University, Mokpo

Public Collections
Shangyi Art Museum, Hangzhou, China / Sanhe Classic Car Museum, Chengdu, China / Museum of Contemporary Art Crete, Greece / Gwangju City Museum of Art, Gwangju, South Korea / Mokpo National University Museum, Mokpo, South Korea / The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, South Korea

Sobin Park
Sobin Park

Born 1971 in Gwangju, South Korea. Park earned her BFA from Mokpo National University and her MFA from Chosun University. She has dedicated herself to drawing since her first solo exhibition in 1993, building a career as an international artist. She has held 15 solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions in Gwangju, Seoul, Thessaloniki, and New York. In 2009, she received the Young Artist Award from the Gwangju Museum of Art. She has participated in several residency programs, including the Young Artist Residency in Gwangju, the Gwangju Museum of Art’s Force Gallery residency in Beijing, Bushwick Open Studios in Brooklyn, and the Vermont Studio Center. Her solo exhibition at the Chelsea Art Museum (2009, New York) was reviewed in ArtNews and Art in America, among other publications. Her notable solo exhibitions include Today Art Museum (2017, Beijing), Sanhe Classic Car Museum Art Space (2019, Chengdu), Laboratorium-Venezia (2019, Venice), and Elga Gallery (2020, New York).

Education
1996 MFA, Chosun University, Gwangju
1993 BFA, Mokpo National University, Mokpo

Public Collections
Shangyi Art Museum, Hangzhou, China / Sanhe Classic Car Museum, Chengdu, China / Museum of Contemporary Art Crete, Greece / Gwangju City Museum of Art, Gwangju, South Korea / Mokpo National University Museum, Mokpo, South Korea / The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, South Korea

Sobin Park
Sobin Park

Born 1971 in Gwangju, South Korea. Park earned her BFA from Mokpo National University and her MFA from Chosun University. She has dedicated herself to drawing since her first solo exhibition in 1993, building a career as an international artist. She has held 15 solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions in Gwangju, Seoul, Thessaloniki, and New York. In 2009, she received the Young Artist Award from the Gwangju Museum of Art. She has participated in several residency programs, including the Young Artist Residency in Gwangju, the Gwangju Museum of Art’s Force Gallery residency in Beijing, Bushwick Open Studios in Brooklyn, and the Vermont Studio Center. Her solo exhibition at the Chelsea Art Museum (2009, New York) was reviewed in ArtNews and Art in America, among other publications. Her notable solo exhibitions include Today Art Museum (2017, Beijing), Sanhe Classic Car Museum Art Space (2019, Chengdu), Laboratorium-Venezia (2019, Venice), and Elga Gallery (2020, New York).

Education
1996 MFA, Chosun University, Gwangju
1993 BFA, Mokpo National University, Mokpo

Public Collections
Shangyi Art Museum, Hangzhou, China / Sanhe Classic Car Museum, Chengdu, China / Museum of Contemporary Art Crete, Greece / Gwangju City Museum of Art, Gwangju, South Korea / Mokpo National University Museum, Mokpo, South Korea / The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, South Korea

［Solo Exhibitions］

2025 化応・愛・无限 Dragon, Love&Infinity, , 尚义美术馆 Shangyi Art Museum, Hangzhou, China          

2024 Sobin Park:ENTER THE DRAGON, spazio

2024 Special Invitation Exhibition of Gwangju Museum of Art, Korea, “Sobin Park: The Myth of Dragons – Infinite Love,” hosted by the Korean Cultural Institute in China, Beijing, China

2024 Sobin Park: The Myth of Dragons, Infinite Love, Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju, Korea

2023 Sobin Park: Pictograph to Sign , Tenri Cultural Institute, New York

2021 LOVEIS INFINFINTE/ 爱·无限 Invitation exhibition for Park Sobin’s painting. Hebei University of Art Museum, China, HebeiHebei Academy of Fine Arts

2020 Sobin Park: Dragons and Maidens, Elga Wimmer PCC, USA, New York

2019 Sobin Park: poetry in motion，Laboratorium-Venezia, Italy, Venice

2018 Sobin Park: Infinite, Sanhe. Classic Car Museum Art Space, China, Chang Du

2017 Sobin Park: In Pursuit of the Lucky Dragon, Today Art Museum, China, Beijing

2016 Sobin Park: Dreaming of the Female Dragon, Zendai Zhujiajiao Art Space in Himalayas Museum, China, Shanghai

Sobin Park: Sobin Park and The Lucky Dragon, The City of Thessaloniki Concert Hall and ‘smART communications’ Thessaloniki, Greece

2015 Sobin Park: Meditations on the Dragon, Museum of Contemporary Art Crete, Greece, Crete

2014 Sobin Park, Force gallery, Beijing, China

19th Gwangju Artist Award Exhibition, Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju

2013 The Mandate of heaven, Gabarron Foundation, Spain, Barcelona

The Mandate of heaven , Gabarron Foundation, USA, New York

Dragon, Love, Dream, Gwanjgu Museum of Art, Gwangju

2010 Toward the creation of a new female myth_New York _ The issue, U-SQUARE Kumho Gallery, Gwangju

2009 Sobin Park – Toward the Creation of a New Female Myth, Chelsea Art Museum, USA, New York

2008 Invited Exhibition, T-SPACE, Seoul

2007 Beauty and the Beast, Tenri Cultural Institute, USA, New York

Invitational Exhibition, Gallery PICI, Seoul

Invitational Exhibition, KOMAS2007, Mokpo Culture & Art Center, Mokpo

2005 KIAF- Korea International Art Fair, COEX Center, Seoul / Mudeung Gallery, Gwangju

2004 Invitational Exhibition, Gallery PICI, Seoul

2003 Invitational Exhibition, Nine gallery, Gwangju / Juyoung Gallery, Sunchun

2002 Invitational Exhibition, Insa Art Plaza, Seoul

2000 21C KAF, Seoul Arts Center, Seoul

1999 99 KAF, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul

1997 Invitational Exhibition, Soho Gallery, Seoul

1993 Sobin Park, Kumho Culture Center, Gwangju

［Group Exhibitions］

Group Exhibitions

2022
(Blood and Tears Portrayals of Gwangju’s Democratic Struggle.) Anya and Andrew Shiva Gallery John Jay College of Criminal Justice , NYC

2019
Contemporary Issues – BODY SCANDAL, Seongnam Cube Art Museum, Korea, Seongnam

2018
International Exhibition of Contempory art’ Floating World, Fuzhou Art Museum, China, Fuzhou

2017
Korea – China Exchange Exhibision Peng you, Ni haoma?, Gwanjgu Museum of Art, Gwangju

2015
Art Views Korea & China 2015, XYZ Gallery, China, Beijing
20rd Anniversary of the Gwangju Art Prize, Gwanjgu Museum of Art, Gwangju

2014
‘East Bridge 2014’ 798 , Lanzhou Station space, Beijing, Lanzhou

2013
Force Art Residency, Aatists Exhibition, Force Gallery, Beijing, China

2012
Mudeung Tales – 3 Acts 9 Scenes, Today Art Museum, China, Beijing
Beijing Art Fair, 100 young artists, Peasant Museum, China, Beijing,

2011 
Highlights of the Chelsea Art Museum. Chelsea Art Museum, USA, New York
Force, Force Gallery, Beijing, China
Sofia International Paper Biennale, Sofia, Bulgaria

2010
Part 1, Art Rome Gallery, Italy, Roma
The 12 Oriental Zodiac Animals Tales , Gwangju Museum of Art, Children Gallery, Gwangju

2009
Geometry and Gesture, Elga Wimmer PCC, USA, New York
The 9th Light- Ha Jung woong Young Artists Invitation Exhibition,
Gwanjgu Museum of Art,  Gwangju
Secret garden, Elga Wimmer PCC, USA, New York
Bushwick Open Studios & Art Festival, BOS registrants, USA, New York
Love & Sweet, Shinsegae Gallery in Gwangju, Gwangju

2008
Gwangju Women’s Art Exhibition – The moon rising at Seongchon Village, Mudeung Contemporary Gallery, Gwangju
Invitational Exhibition, Dowhahun Art Museum, Goheung
Collection of Love Your Neighbors Fund, Shinsegae Gallery. Gwangju, Korea
2nd Insa Art Festival – Between the Beauty and the Grotesque, Gallery GODO, Seoul
Kim Wan ki Art Exhibition– Islands Rhapsody,
Light Gallery, Seoul / Mokpo Art Center, Mokpo

2007
Opening Exhibition to Commemorate the New Construction of Gwangju Museum of Art – Field Exhibition of Gwangju Art, Gwangju Museum of Art
China Songjang Culture &Art Festival – Art linking, Songzhuang Xiaobao Painter Village China, Beijing
Figuratively Speaking Part 2, Elga Wimmer Gallery, New York
Open Stdio Uijae 3, Palgakjeong Art Studio, Gwangju

2006
Open studio Uijae 2. Palgakjeong Art Studio, Gwangju
See the World – Palgakjeong Open studio, Gwangju Museum of Art studio, Gwangju
Art expo – BIG APPLE. BIG ART, Javis Center, USA, New York
Figuratively Speaking Part2, PCC, USA, New York

2005
Saliant Light and Clear Energy, Guangzhou Museum of Art, China, Guangzhou
Art Singapore 2005, SUNTEC Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Gesture-Drawing Contemporary-Exploration, Ihyeong Art Center
759 Runing Feet : Moving wall – Walldrawings in Gwangju, Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju
Art – Woman’s Power by Chosun University Art Hall, Chosun University Art Hall, Gwangju
Geumgang to Modeung, Geumnamro Center in Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju

2003
Gwangju 20 Landscapes, Shinsegae Gallery in Gwangju, Gwangju

2001
Korean Young Artists, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul

1997
Today’s Local Artist Invitation Exhibition, Kumho Art Museum, Seoul
Seoul The 24th Cheonggu Exihibition, Tokyo Art Museum, Japan, Tokyo
Ecole de Mokpo, FIAP, France, Paris,

1996
Vision of Next Generation-Suggestion of Tommorrow, Seoul Art Center, Seoul
National Art Exhibition, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul

1995
Gwangju Reunification Art Exhibition, May.19 Cemetery, Gwangju

 

Awards

2014 20th Gwangju Art Prize, Gwangju

2013 8th Gwangju City Museum Young Artist Award

2009 The 9th Light-Ha JeongUng Young Artist Award, Gwangju, Korea

 

Residency

2016  International Artist-in-Residence Program, Gwangju City Museum and Himalayas museum, Shainghai, China

2012 Force Registrants, Beijing, China

2011 Vermont Studio Center, Arts Residency, New York
Beijing Art Residency Artist in Residence of Gwangju Art Museum, Beijing, China

2009 Bushwick Art Residency, Open Studios, USA, New York

2006-2007 Artist in Residence of Gwangju Art Museum Palgakjeong Art Studio, Gwangju