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Back Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Exciting to see Biennale Star Shane Guffogg at Gallery Chang NYC Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Exciting to see Biennale Star Shane Guffogg at Gallery Chang NYC With a commitment to fostering creativity and community engagement, Gallery Chang has carved a unique niche for itself, attracting both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers. An amazing A-List art collector crowd welcomed by Ara Cho enjoyed the masterpieces of Shane Guffogg – the Californian shooting star of Biennale Art 2024! Art Expert Olga Franco introduced her Furniture Designer Friends to the artist circles. Star Dentist and Sleep expert Dr. Maria Sokolina came from her private clinic and we heard after being featured in the biggest print magazine, that a Forbes magazine article is coming next, bravo! Well deserved! Julianne Michelle mesmerized fellow gallery guests with her fabulous charity Mommy’s Heart Foundation which she started and I just joined her esteemed board. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Julianne’s Mommys Heart Foundation: A Story of Love, Loss, Law and Legacy. When Dr. Zarui Chopuryan who runs an amazing esthetics laser clinic in collaboration with Dr. Maria Sokolina arrived with Armine Arustamyan everyone was so happy to head their stories from the UN Headquarters where they have been guests with Gallery owner Ara of H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe who received a Global Peace Ambassador recognition and the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Gallery Chang has quickly established itself as a prominent force in the New York art world, showcasing a diverse roster of international artists who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. Gallery Chang’s journey began in 2019 as a dynamic art project group, organizing exhibitions and events in various locations throughout New York City. This early period allowed the gallery to build a strong foundation and cultivate relationships with artists and collectors alike. A significant milestone came in 2023 with the establishment of a permanent exhibition space on 55th Street in Manhattan. Nestled amidst renowned cultural institutions like MoMA, Carnegie Hall, and New York City Center, this strategic location places Gallery Chang at the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural hub. Gallery Chang distinguishes itself through its carefully curated exhibitions, which showcase a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums. From painting and sculpture to photography and installation art, the gallery presents a rich tapestry of contemporary artistic expression. The gallery’s curatorial vision is guided by a commitment to showcasing artists who demonstrate exceptional talent, innovative approaches, and a deep engagement with contemporary issues. This commitment is reflected in the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of the artists represented, creating a truly global and inclusive artistic dialogue. Beyond its gallery walls, Gallery Chang is actively involved in community engagement and public art initiatives. In 2022, the gallery garnered widespread acclaim for its public art projects at the former CHASE Bank building in Middletown, Orange County, New York. These projects demonstrated the gallery’s dedication to bringing art to wider audiences and enriching the cultural landscape of the community. Gallery Chang provides a platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work to a discerning audience. The gallery’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent is evident in its support of young artists, providing them with opportunities to exhibit their work and gain recognition in the competitive art world. At the same time, Gallery Chang also represents established artists whose work has made a significant impact on the contemporary art scene. This balance between emerging and established voices creates a dynamic and engaging environment for art enthusiasts of all levels. With its strong curatorial vision, commitment to community engagement, and dedication to supporting artists, Gallery Chang is poised for continued success. The gallery’s presence in the heart of Manhattan, coupled with its active involvement in public art initiatives, ensures its continued influence on the New York art scene and beyond. As Gallery Chang continues to evolve, it promises to be a vital force in shaping the future of contemporary art, fostering creativity, and promoting cross-cultural dialogue through the universal language of art. Shane Guffogg – The Biennale Star Shane Guffogg is an American artist who has dedicated his career to exploring the intricate dance between time, consciousness, and the human experience. His paintings, often large-scale and brimming with luminous colors and complex forms, beckon viewers to contemplate the nature of reality and the fluidity of perception. Guffogg’s journey into the world of art began early in his life. He honed his skills and nurtured his distinct approach to abstraction at the California Institute of the Arts. His works transcend the realm of mere visual representation; they are philosophical inquiries that challenge our conventional understanding of time and its profound connection to our existence. The concept of time, particularly the intricate interplay between past, present, and future, is a central theme that weaves its way through Guffogg’s entire body of work. He perceives these temporal dimensions not as isolated segments but as interwoven threads that contribute to the rich tapestry of “now.” This idea is eloquently expressed in titles such as “What if Everything That was Is, And Everything That Is Never Was,” suggesting that all moments, regardless of their position on the timeline, coexist in an eternal present. Through a masterful command of color and form, Guffogg’s paintings often evoke a sense of timelessness. The subtle transitions and layers within his works create an illusion of depth and movement, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the contemplation of the artwork and the passage of time itself. The canvas becomes a window into a realm where past, present, and future merge and flow, challenging our linear understanding of time. Guffogg’s artistic language finds its roots in abstraction, a realm that allows him to transcend the limitations of representational art and delve into the depths of pure ideas and emotions. He masterfully employs color, form, and texture to create visual metaphors that explore the complexities of human consciousness and the enigmatic nature of the universe. Rather than depicting the external world, his paintings are an expression of the inner world – a realm of thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. They are visual poems that resonate with the soul, inviting viewers to connect with their own internal landscapes and explore the profound depths of their being. Each brushstroke, each layer of color, is a word in a visual language that speaks of introspection and the search for meaning. Guffogg’s artistic vision extends beyond the visual realm, encompassing a multi-sensory experience. He has collaborated with musicians and composers to create immersive environments that further enhance the impact of his work. These collaborations aim to engage the viewer on multiple levels, deepening their connection to the art and its underlying themes. Sound and vision intertwine, creating a symphony of perception that resonates on a deeper level. His exhibition, “The Sounds of Color,” held at the Scala Contarini del Bovolo museum in Venice, exemplified this multi-sensory approach. By combining his paintings with a curated soundscape, Guffogg created an environment that enveloped viewers, allowing them to experience his art in a new and profound way. The exhibition became a journey through time and perception, guided by both sight and sound. Shane Guffogg’s art stands as a testament to the boundless power of creativity and its capacity to transcend the confines of time and space. His paintings are not merely objects to be passively observed but invitations to engage in a dialogue with the artist and with oneself. They are catalysts for introspection and self-discovery. Through his unique approach to abstraction and his exploration of profound themes, Guffogg has created a body of work that inspires contemplation, challenges perceptions, and encourages viewers to connect with the deeper meaning of their own existence. His art is a gift, a legacy that will continue to inspire and provoke for generations to come. It is a reminder of the enduring power of human creativity to grapple with life’s most fundamental questions and to find beauty in the exploration. t2conline.com Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Exciting to see Biennale Star Shane Guffogg at Gallery Chang NYC With a commitment to fostering creativity and community engagement, Gallery Chang has carved a unique niche for itself, attracting both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers. An amazing A-List art collector crowd welcomed by Ara Cho enjoyed the masterpieces of Shane Guffogg – the Californian shooting star of Biennale Art 2024! Art Expert Olga Franco introduced […] < >

Back Mirror-like Paintings: Jimmy Gleason's First Solo Exhibition in Seoul news.sbs.co.kr '거울 같은 회화' 지미 글리슨 첫 서울 개인전 현대미술 작가 지미 글리슨 의 개인전 가 갤러리 장 서울, 오크우드 프리미어 코엑스 센터에서 오는 6월 28일까지 개최됩니다. < >

Back 'Brick Artist' Kim Kang Yong, Invitation to Opening 'Gallery Chang' Kim Kang Yong, Reality+Image 2301-2213, 132 x 99 cm, mixedmedia, 2023. 'Gallery Chang', established to promote Korean artists on Manhattan's 55th Street, will officially open its doors with a commemorative exhibition featuring the highly acclaimed brick painter Kim Kang Yong, on the 7th of next month. Gallery director Jun-Hwan Chang, the founder of 'Gallery Chang', stated, "Through the opening of 'Gallery Chang', we will continue to serve as a cultural hub to introduce works of artists representing Korea to the world from New York, contributing to the global growth of the cultural industry and enhancing the national image." Invited to this inaugural exhibition, Kim Kang Yong, known as the master of brick painting, has captivated audiences worldwide as a first-generation hyper-realism artist since the 1970s, gaining international recognition for his brick paintings. Chloe Park, a senior curator of 'Gallery Chang', explained, "In Kim Kang Yong's solo exhibition 'MASTERPIECE (2019-2023)', the focus is on his recent works, including the sand-made brick series symbolizing him, and 'Reality + Image' works. New pieces from 2023 are also being unveiled." She further elaborated, "From the mid-1970s to the 1980s, he mainly painted monochromatic brick walls, but since the 2000s, he has transformed into colorful brick painting, surpassing reality with simplicity and color, once again showcasing his uniqueness. Recently, he has been hailed as the next-generation leader following the monochromatic master, Park Seo-bo." Park continued, "His artistic realm, spanning from the first-generation hyperrealism to encompassing abstraction and monochrome, marks a significant milestone in Korean art history." She added, "His works have garnered significant acclaim among art collectors worldwide and are housed in institutions such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, and the Lévy Gorvy Art Foundation in LA. They are also actively traded in global art markets such as Sotheby's and Christie's." [Source from THE KOREA DAILY press release, provided by Jongwon Park] < >

Back Shane Guffogg: Memories of Our Future The solo exhibition Memories of Our Future by American contemporary artist Shane Guffogg is currently on view at Gallery Chang in Manhattan, opening on October 23. Featuring new works from 2025, this exhibition marks Guffogg’s second solo show at Gallery Chang New York, following his 2024 exhibition Shane Guffogg: The Future is Past is Present . Centered on the philosophical theme Guffogg has long explored—the “intersection of time and space”—the exhibition visualizes moments where the boundaries between present, past, and future become blurred. Through transparent layers of color and flows of light, his paintings capture traces of time and movements of consciousness, inviting viewers to reflect on how multilayered the fleeting moment of “here and now” truly is. In this exhibition, Guffogg presents a new interpretation of human perception in the age of AI. At the opening reception, he remarked, “We are already living in the fourth world—the world in our hands, the reality inside our phones,” raising the question of what “memory” and “the present” mean in an era when machines preserve memory. The complex intersections of lines and trajectories of light in his work are not merely abstract forms, but visualizations of vibrating consciousness, data flows, and the points where human thought intersects with AI. Guffogg explains, “My work is about painting the space where human and machine, present and future, memory and prediction overlap.” For many years, Guffogg has explored AI as an artistic tool through his algorithmic project Sounds of Color , which translates color into sound. He sees AI not simply as technology, but as a new “language” that expands human perception, seeking through art to restore humanity in the technological age. This exhibition not only shows the evolution of his painterly language, but also invites viewers into a new visual narrative born at the crossroads of memory and prediction, human and machine, light and time. Curator Jinnie Kang of commented, “This exhibition represents the essence of Guffogg’s philosophical painting and offers a poetic response to the nature of humanity in the technological age. We focused on the artist’s attitude of expanding human experience through the new tool of AI.” Shane Guffogg was born in Los Angeles in 1962 and studied art at the California Institute of the Arts. He later worked as an assistant to pop artists Ed Ruscha and Joe Goode. He has drawn inspiration from J.M.W. Turner’s seascapes, Mark Rothko’s late works on paper, Rembrandt’s paintings, and Jasper Johns’s early “alphabet” paintings. In the 1990s, he developed a pattern-painting technique using layered translucent oil paint to create inner light within the canvas, expressing consciousness and the subconscious. From 2009 onward, inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poem Burnt Norton , he began the ongoing At the Still Point series, depicting movements of light through ribbon-like brushstrokes. Later, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s Ginevra de’ Benci (National Gallery, Washington DC), he created the Ginevra de Benci series, using oil paint mixed with resin and ribbon-like light motifs that subtly suggest the feminine form of the original portrait. His works are held in collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Duke University Nasher Museum of Art (Durham), Fundación/Colección Jumex in Mexico City, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The exhibition runs through December 9. https://www.nyculturebeat.com/index.php?mid=Lounge2&document_srl=4166882 < >

Back KANA and Gallery Chang Host Korean Artists' Group Exhibitions KANA and Gallery Chang Host Korean Artists' Group Exhibitions The Korean Association of New York Artists (KANA) is collaborating with Gallery Chang in Manhattan to present two group exhibitions from July 30 to August 18. KANA and Gallery Chang stated that the exhibitions aim to highlight talented Korean artists and explore new directions for Korean art, expanding its potential. This initiative is based on the curatorial vision of Calvin Lee and Lina Hae Lin Hwang. The exhibitions are divided into two parts, each with a different theme: "Binary Equilibrium" and "Unbound Playground." Part 1 features artists Tae Joong Kim, Sae Jun Kim, Jean Oh, Dawn Kim, Calvin Lee, Yuna Cho, Paul Rho, and Kai Oh, all of whom share a cultural background rooted in Korea while working in New York. This section reflects the artists' perspectives on the intersection of existentialism and nihilism. From August 9 to August 18, Part 2 will showcase works by artists Anikoon, Sun You, Yong Sun Kwon, Taekyung Suh, Hongbin Kim, and Soo Park. This section presents a variety of visual languages and playful expressions, rooted in the artists' everyday experiences, childhood memories, and emotions. KANA·갤러리 장, 한인작가 단체전 개최 뉴욕한인예술인협회(KANA)는 맨해튼 갤러리 장(Gallery Chang)과 함께 7월 30일부터 오는 8월 18일까지 두 차례의 단체전을 갖는다. 뉴욕한인예술인협회와 갤러리장은 이번 2차례의 단체전에 대해 “공동 기획자 이상혁과 황혜린의 기획을 바탕으로 역량 있는 한인 작가들을 조명하고 한국 미술의 새로운 방향을 모색하며 발전 가능성을 더욱 확장하고자 한다”고 밝혔다. 전시는 1부와 2부로 나누어져 각각 ‘Binary Equlibruim’과 ‘Unbound Playground’라는 다른 주제로 진행된다. 1부 전시에는 뉴욕에서 활동하며 한국 문화적 배경을 공유하는 김태중, 김세준, 오진이, 김다운, 이상혁, 조윤아, 노바울, 그리고 오가영 작가가 참여한다. 1부 전시는 실존주의와 허무주의의 이중성의 맞닿아 있는 부분에 대한 작가들의 견해를 담아냈다. 8월 9일부터 8월 18일까지 열리는 2부 전시에는 애니쿤(Anikoon), 유선미, 권용은, 서태경, 김홍빈, 그리고 박연수 작가가 참여한다. 2부 전시는 작가들의 일상과 어린 시절의 경험 기억과 감정에서 출발해 각기 다른 시각적 언어와 유희적인 표현으로 이뤄진 작업들을 선보인다. [Source from THE KOREA DAILY press release, provided by Jongwon Park ] news.koreadaily.com KANA·갤러리 장, 한인작가 단체전 개최 뉴욕한인예술인협회(KANA)는 맨해튼 갤러리 장(Gallery Chang)과 함께 7월 30일부터 오는 8월 18일까지 두 차례의 단체전을 갖는다. 뉴욕한인예술인협회와 갤러... < >

Back New Exhibition in Upstate NY Feature Works of South Korean Artist Moon Insoo Artis Moon Insoo during his exhibition "REVEALING: Moon Insoo" at Gallery Chang in Middletown, N.Y., on May 10, 2024. (The Epoch Times) [Source from THE EPOCH TIMES press release, provided by Kos Temenes] < >

Back Chungbuk National University Discusses the Convergence of Art and Science. Special Lecture by Shane Guffogg, “From Einstein to AI,” Successfully Concluded Chungbuk National University held a special lecture on the 22nd, inviting contemporary artist Shane Guffogg to speak on the theme From Einstein to AI: Art as a New Language . The event explored how the convergence of art and science-based technologies may shape future society. Organized by the university’s Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, the lecture drew approximately 80 students and faculty members, reflecting strong interest in interdisciplinary dialogue between art and science. In his talk, Guffogg focused on the intersections of artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, and art, explaining through diverse examples how art can generate new forms of social language. He emphasized in particular that the layering of time, perception, and emotion can function as a new creative language within such convergence. An open discussion followed the lecture, featuring active exchanges on how culture and technology, as well as art and science, can work in harmony. Participants broadly agreed that when future technologies meet artistic imagination, they can create new social value. Park Jungeun, Director of Gallery Chang, commented, “This lecture was a serious forum for thinking deeply about the convergence of art and technology. It provided Chungbuk National University students with a meaningful opportunity to cultivate creative thinking within a global discourse.” Kim Bong-jae, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, added, “Quantum computing should be recognized as a key technology leading the future beyond computer science,” noting that its core concept—the ‘superposition of time’—is closely connected to artistic imagination, a theme that Shane Guffogg has long explored through his work. www.cbreaknews.com ≪충북 브레이크뉴스≫ 충북대, 예술과 과학의 융합을 논하다 【충북 브레이크뉴스】임창용 기자=충북대학교가 지난 22일 현대미술가 셰인 구포그를 초청해 '아인슈타인에서 AI까지: 예술이 만드는 새로운 언어'라 < >

Back Chungbuk National University Successfully Hosts Special Lecture by Shane Guffogg, “From Einstein to AI” Chungbuk National University announced on the 23rd that it successfully held a special lecture on the 22nd, inviting contemporary art master Shane Guffogg under the title From Einstein to AI: Art as a New Language . Organized by the university’s Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, the lecture drew an audience of approximately 80 students and faculty members, filling the venue and demonstrating strong interest in the convergence of art and science-based technology. The event opened with welcoming remarks by Kim Bong-jae, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, followed by Guffogg’s lecture. In his talk, Guffogg focused on the intersections of AI, quantum technology, and art, presenting diverse examples to illustrate how art can generate new forms of social language. In particular, he emphasized that the layering of time, perception, and emotion can function as a new creative language within the fusion of art and advanced technologies, leaving a strong impression on attendees. The lecture was followed by an open discussion, during which participants actively exchanged ideas on how culture and technology, as well as art and science, can be harmoniously integrated. Many agreed that when future technologies such as AI and quantum computing meet artistic imagination, they have the potential to create new social value. Park Jungeun, Director of Gallery Chang, commented, “This lecture went beyond the appreciation of art and became a serious forum for reflecting on the convergence of art and technology. It was a meaningful opportunity for Chungbuk National University students to cultivate creative thinking within a global discourse.” Kim Bong-jae, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, added, “Quantum computing should be recognized as a core technology that will shape the future beyond computer science,” emphasizing that its defining concept of the ‘superposition of time’ closely resonates with artistic imagination—an idea deeply connected to the themes Shane Guffogg has long explored through his art. www.veritas-a.com 충북대 셰인 구포그 초청 특별 강연 'From Einstein to AI' 성료 [베리타스알파=박소현 기자] 충북대는 현대미술의 거장 셰인 구포그(Shane Guffogg)를 초청해 22일 'From Einstein to AI: 예술이 만드는 새로운 언어'를 주제로 특별강연을 진행했다고 23일 밝혔다.이번 강연은 인공지능연구소의 주관으로 진행됐으며, 강연장을 가득 < >

Back Chungbuk’s Future Lies Not in Seoul, but in the World. Chang Junhwan, Shane Guffogg, and Lee Jong-tae Present a “Global Vision” A new vision was put forward suggesting that Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, should no longer remain in a “second-place strategy” of following Seoul, but instead connect directly with the global stage. A special lecture on culture–technology convergence held on the 2nd at Chungbuk National University was organized through the initiative of New York–based attorney Chang Junhwan, CEO of Gallery Chang. The event drew significant attention from students, particularly with the participation of world-renowned artist Shane Guffogg, who was born in California. Following the lecture, a roundtable discussion was held at the headquarters of Cheongju-based specialty chocolate company Bonjeong, joined by its CEO Lee Jong-tae. Together, the three speakers shared a common awareness: that Chungbuk should be envisioned not as a mere “regional city,” but as a global culture-and-technology hub. Attorney Chang Junhwan proposed the concept of a “city to stay” as a direction for Chungbuk’s urban development. “Many regional cities have the weakness that people simply visit and leave,” he said. “But to revitalize the economy, we need to create conditions that encourage people to stay one more day.” He emphasized the activation of the nighttime economy as a core requirement. “A city lives when the night is alive,” Chang noted, calling for more programs that young people can participate in, as well as cultural events that continue into the evening. He added that “even if railways and roads are connected, the local economy cannot grow unless people actually stay,” citing the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, where nighttime content and cultural events contributed significantly to the regional economy. Addressing students directly, he advised, “Success doesn’t come from a single giant leap, but from a series of small successes. It’s important to keep creating modest achievements here in Chungbuk and connect that confidence to the global stage.” He described the lecture itself as a “cultural experiment for Chungbuk’s future,” adding, “Chungbuk has extraordinary natural assets like Songnisan and a deep cultural heritage. Let’s start today by thinking together about how to connect these to the global market.” Visiting Cheongju for his first lecture in Korea, Shane Guffogg shared his fresh impressions of Chungbuk with students. “On the way to Cheongju, I saw landscapes of greenhouses and rolling hills,” he said. “It reminded me of rural New England or the outskirts of New York. This place, where nature and city coexist, has real appeal as a global testbed.” He was especially impressed by Korea’s café culture. “Korean cafés are on a completely different level,” he remarked. “Even highway rest stops have distinct designs and concepts. They’re not just places to sell coffee, but feel like artworks in themselves. This kind of creativity is a core competitive strength of Korean culture.” Guffogg also introduced his own artistic practice. “My work layers multiple dimensions of time onto a single canvas,” he explained. “That process resembles the concept of superposition in quantum computing. Art and science may seem different, but in fact they speak the same language.” The lecture concluded with a flood of student questions. Guffogg expressed his satisfaction, saying, “When the audience laughs and nods, the lecture truly comes alive. I was impressed by the active discussion culture among both professors and students at Chungbuk National University.” He added, “I hope small cultural movements that begin in Chungbuk will spread beyond Asia to the world,” and expressed his desire to continue engaging with Korea. He is currently presenting a new series, Memories of Our Future , at Gallery Chang Seoul. Lee Jong-tae, CEO of Bonjeong, emphasized the role that regional companies must play on the global stage. “Cultural value often begins in small cities rather than major metropolises,” he said. “Just as artistic movements in France and galleries in Manhattan grew by absorbing content from outside the center, Chungbuk can also generate such momentum.” He stressed that regional brands should function not merely as “sellable products,” but as mediators of global cultural exchange. “Population may decline, but cultural and economic value must grow,” Lee explained. “As a regional brand, Bonjeong is actively participating so that Chungbuk can have a voice on the global stage.” Referring to Bonjeong’s collaboration with a New York gallery, he noted, “This project marked the first case of a Chungbuk brand entering a global cultural platform.” He added, “We will continue to participate in world-class cultural projects to grow Bonjeong into a global brand.” Lee concluded, “When regional companies join hands with culture, they can create new engines of growth. Bonjeong will stand as a cultural partner until the day Chungbuk gains global recognition.” The special lecture and roundtable together reaffirmed the possibility that Chungbuk can connect directly with the world, rather than merely following in Seoul’s footsteps. Each speaker emphasized a different aspect—Chang Junhwan highlighted a “city to stay,” Shane Guffogg stressed the “globalization of cultural creativity,” and Lee Jong-tae underscored the “global leap of regional brands”—but their message was unified. www.bzeronews.com 충북의 미래는 ‘서울 아닌 세계’…장준환·셰인·이종태, ‘글로벌 비전’ 제시 - 불교공뉴스 충북 청주가 더 이상 서울을 따라가는 ‘2등 전략’에 머물지 않고, 곧바로 세계와 연결되는 글로벌 비전의 필요성이 제시됐다.문화와 예술, 그리고 지역 브랜드가 어 < >

Back Iconic Korean Moon Jars by Renowned Artist Oh Kwan Jin on Exhibit in Upstate NY MIDDLETOWN, New York — Serene and intricate traditional Korean paintings grace the walls of a new gallery in upstate New York, which opened its doors for a ribbon-cutting event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday. Feb. 16. Located in Middletown, an up-and-coming community in western Orange County, Gallery Chang at 55 North St hosted over a dozen pieces by famed painter Oh Kwan Jin, whose work has featured in over 20 Korean TV dramas. The inaugural exhibit is titled Emptying to Enrichment: Moon Jars Path . It will remain open to public viewing at Gallery Chang until March 17. Works on display revolved around the theme of moon jars — a type of Korean pottery developed during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). The simple appearance at first glance of the paintings belies finer details that reveal themselves easily upon scrutiny. A Korean moon jar motif brush painting by artist Oh Kwan Jin on display in the Gallery Chang C2. Photo taken Feb. 16, 2024 in Middletown, upstate N.Y. (Image: Vision Times) Middletown, NY Mayor Joseph DeStefano on His Initiatives to Help Local Businesses Thrive A piece by Korean artist Oh Kwan Jin, entitled “Emptying and Enrichment Holding Blessings” on display at the Gallery Chang C2 location in Middletown, N.Y. (Image: Provided to Vision Times) Eastern and Western technique is visible in Oh’s art, which carries a contemporary feel while retaining the subtleties and atmosphere of traditional Korean brush painting. One of his new paintings, displayed at the entrance of the gallery, includes Blue Dragon , inspired by the Eastern astrological tradition where 2024 marks the Year of the Wood Dragon (in the ancient theory of five elements, wood is signified by the color blue). This thematic piece adds a unique cultural resonance to the collection, complementing Oh Kwan Jin’s new 2024 works. Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano was in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, held shortly after 5 p.m. Middletown, N.Y. mayor Joseph DeStefano (center, holding scissors) attends the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Gallery Chang at 55 North St. Artist Oh Kwan Jin and Chang Jun Hwan (L-R from DeStefano) are also in attendance. (Image: Vision Times) Director Chang Jun Hwan, known for his involvement in notable endeavors including the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in Seoul, envisions Gallery Chang not merely as an art gallery, but as a dynamic cultural hub fostering creativity, igniting community engagement, and catalyzing artistic expression in Middletown. The Middletown location is the second Gallery Chang , following the original location in central Manhattan. Another Gallery Chang in Palisades Park, New Jersey, is planned to open in 2025. Moon jars: calm and peace Oh Kwan Jin has worked with moon jars and moon jar-related themes for over 35 years. The moon jar “represents calm and peace.” The contrast of the white jar on a blue background is a “perfect example” of a moon jar painting, Chang Jun Hwan said at the opening event, pointing at one of Oh’s works. Moon jars are intentionally made to be slightly asymmetrical. They feature a smaller base and larger top, which simulates the impression of floating in air. “Blue Dragon” seen near the entrance of Gallery Chang. (Image: Vision Times) Chang, accompanying Oh, explained at the opening event that the moon jar motif “represents our life, which is not perfect. … The imbalance itself is natural beauty.” Elaborating on the name of the exhibit, “Emptying to Enrichment,” Chang said, “All of these drawings represent one big theme: a philosophy of emptying and filling. In order to fill yourself, you first have to empty yourself, that is the Asian, the Korean and Chinese mindset. You first have to give out to get something.” Some of the artworks featured symbolism relating to Eastern culture and customs. For instance, one piece had a moon jar placed upon a wooden chest, which in Asian countries are used to store money and other valuables, Chang said. Chang Jun Hwan (R) poses with a visitor to Gallery Chang. (Image: Courtesy of Gallery Chang) “We put the moon jar on top of it so that it can be protected, even in the nighttime,” he said through the aide, pointing to an actual moon present in the painting. Occupying a central place in the gallery was a piece with several moon jars on a dark blue background. The dark blue, Chang explained, represents the darkest night before the sunrise. “The sunrise is hope. Just like Middletown is reviving itself [and entering] a new stage,” he said. [Source from VISION TIMES press release, provided by Leo Timm] < >