Whitestone
Gallery Seoul presents a solo exhibition “365 Inspiration” by Ahhi Choi (b. 1983)
through July 21. Ahhi Choi captures the subtle beauties of everyday life on
canvas as if writing a diary. This exhibition features his latest series in
delicate pastel tones, as well as various artworks including sculptures and
pieces using skateboards.
Reflecting on the journey of life he has
traversed; the artist infuses his works with the subconscious formed along the
way. Following language studies in Los Angeles, USA, Ahhi embarked on
explorations of the western United States, venturing into vast national parks
such as Death Valley and the Grand Canyon.
During his travels, Ahhi deepened his
appreciation and connection to the magnificence of nature, evolving these
experiences into art. Subsequently, drawing inspiration from daily life, he
continues to express his adventures as a form of diary, utilizing ink on paper
or filling wooden panels with his unique abstract colors, lines, and textures.
Ahhi Choi was born in Hyogo Prefecture
Japan in 1983. He gained recognition after showing in New York in 2014 and has
since exhibited internationally including in the United States, France, Italy,
Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong.
In addition to painting, the artist has
also extensively engaged in other artistic creations, including the design of
shoes, skateboards, fabrics, wine labels, cell phone cases, CD covers, and even
musical instruments (didgeridoo).
In 2020, dedicated his work “Naka-ima”
(meaning “present time as a succession of the age of God, in Japanese
mythology) to Ashiya Shrine and created votive pictures in collaboration with
the shrine (sold out 200 editions immediately). He started also the creation of
hanging scrolls in collaboration with a long-established Kyoto-style mounting
brand “Kanouunkindou”.