Here are two artists who speak of the city and depict it in their work: Lee Yerim, who focuses on the buildings that provide everyday spaces for people, and Roh Jungyun, who explores the coexistence and conflict between the natural elements—plants—and the artificial structures—concrete walls—of the city.

<<Color The City>> is an exhibition featuring Seoul, a city colored by the works of two rising young Korean artists, Roh Jungyun and Lee Yerim. It will be held at the Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi from January 13 to 23, 2025.

■ Event Name: Color the City

■ Venue: Korean Cultural Center in the UAE, Multipurpose Hall

■ Dates: January 13 – 23, 2025

■ Exhibition Hours: (Sun-Thu) 10 AM - 6 PM | (Fri) 10 AM - 2 PM | (Sat) Closed

■ Host: Korean Cultural Center in the United Arab Emirates

■ Organizer: Not A Galerie

■ Participating artists: LEE Yerim, ROH Jungyun

"People built cities and constructed buildings out of necessity, but in the end, it’s the buildings—standing in place, watching people come and go like the tides—that remain as the true guardians of the city. Some buildings carry historical or artistic significance, but most of them are unremarkable structures where everyday life unfolds. They are the face of the city, and each day they tell me a different story. We spend most of our lives in the city, specifically among the buildings. Above all, these buildings are built solidly and need to be. I think this solidity is similar to the daily lives of people who live each day with a calm face while hiding a complex interior. The buildings in my paintings are solid yet soft, straight-lined yet organically intertwined, reflecting the emotions of people living in the city."

— From LEE Yerim's Work Notes

"I am interested in urban spaces that lack a distinct sense of place or are difficult to define. I categorize the elements that make up the city broadly into natural and artificial, and I express how these two elements coexist or clash through semi-abstract images that blend geometric patterns and natural forms. The geometric patterns in my work symbolize artificial structures like concrete walls or fences.

Seoul, where I live, is a city where old urban landscapes in need of redevelopment coexist with new, apartment-dense neighborhoods. Around the fences of old apartments over 40 years old and the street trees, various weeds grow profusely. Passing by this area every day, I wonder as I watch the weeds grow almost daily: should these plants be considered essential for urban coexistence since they obscure unsightly concrete walls, or should they still be seen as weeds that need to be removed?"

— From ROH Jungyun's Work Notes