Do Ho Suh's Retrospective at MMCA Seoul: A Journey Through Memory and Migration

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul is currently hosting a remarkable solo exhibition featuring over 500 works by renowned artist Do Ho Suh. Running until February 9, 2027, this extensive showcase spans four decades, highlighting Suh's exploration of themes like home, migration, and identity.

The exhibition intricately weaves together various pieces from different stages of Suh's career, allowing visitors to experience his evolution as an artist. Early experiments are displayed alongside significant fabric reconstructions and recent installations, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.

One of the exhibition's highlights is a section called 'Seed Bank,' which is situated in the corridor leading to the main galleries. This area features childhood drawings and sculptures, including wooden sea creature carvings created during Suh's upbringing in a traditional hanok. These early works reveal a long-standing interest in the relationship between objects and space, predating his later, more recognized fabric architecture.

Upon entering Gallery 3, visitors encounter 'Small Gate' (2017), a meticulous reconstruction of the gate from Suh's childhood home. This piece serves as both a literal entrance and a metaphorical exploration of transitions between different places and times. The gallery continues with around 200 drawings, many of which are products of Suh's collaboration with the Singapore-based STPI workshop, where he developed an innovative technique using gelatin tissue and handmade paper.

Moving to Gallery 4, the focus shifts to 'Rubbing/Loving,' a poignant series that captures architectural traces of Suh's previous residences. Through the act of rubbing Hanji and paper against surfaces, Suh documents physical remnants of places that hold emotional significance. This duality of 'rubbing' and 'loving' reflects the deep connections we forge with our living spaces.

One notable piece, 'Rubbing/Loving: Seoul Home' (2013–2022), serves as a self-portrait intertwined with familial memory, while 'Rubbing/Loving: Company Housing of Gwangju Theater' (2012) showcases a collective effort to record a shared history through physical labor.

In Gallery 5, Suh's fascination with domestic spaces is further explored through works such as 'Perfect Home: London, Horsham, New York, Berlin, Providence, Seoul' (2024), which reconstructs his current London apartment using elements from various homes he has lived in. This work challenges conventional notions of home and architecture, inviting viewers to consider broader societal connections.

At the exhibition's conclusion, 'Nest/s' (2024) stands out as a 22-meter-long installation that amalgamates architectural forms from Suh's residences in multiple cities, creating a composite structure that defies geographical boundaries. This immersive experience allows visitors to navigate a space that exists only within the exhibition, emphasizing the transient nature of memory.

Lastly, the MMCA Studio features models of Suh's installations and works that reflect on family and fatherhood, including the debut of 'Memory of Love' (2026). This piece poignantly illustrates the interplay between clothing, memory, and home, encapsulating the essence of Suh’s artistic journey.

Source: www.designboom.com