Sungho Bae’s Sculptures Transform Childhood Memories into Art

In a captivating exploration of nostalgia and transformation, artist Sungho Bae reimagines discarded childhood toys into thought-provoking sculptures that challenge our perceptions of memory and meaning. Based in Chicago and originally from Seoul, Bae’s latest exhibition, titled Apotropaia, delves into the emotional resonance we attach to familiar objects, flipping that sentiment on its head.

Using salvaged stuffed animals and various found materials, Bae constructs vibrant, fleshy pieces that evoke the complexities of life and death. His works resemble a patchwork of organs and tissues, stirring the viewer’s imagination while also invoking a sense of the uncanny.

Among the standout pieces is Dansu, a striking sculpture featuring taxidermy eyes and feathered hair, resting upon a weathered Go board. This artwork symbolizes the tension between the natural and the artificial, echoing a moment in the Korean strategy game where only one move remains before capture. Bae’s use of glass eyes serves as a poignant reminder of life lost and the stories of once-beloved toys.

Additionally, Bae's series of wall-mounted artworks titled Gut further explores ambiguity through their abstract forms and intricate textures, inviting closer examination. With Apotropaia running through September 6 at the 4th Ward Project Space, Bae’s unique vision encourages audiences to reconsider the narratives woven into our childhood possessions.

Source: www.thisiscolossal.com