TAKSU SANG TAEK OH

(un)NECESSARIES

‘I created the imaginary closet. My hidden desire is uncontrollable. I feel addicted to the beautiful objects. They are so irresistible. I keep telling myself unconsciously that it is necessary to have those objects although I already noticed they do not fit me.’

- Sang Taek Oh

(un)Necessaries The (un)Necessaries series threads on themes of Consumerism perpetuated since the mid-17th century to its rampant growth

presented in modern day lifestyle. Despite the evident escalation in economic growth of Consumerism, a closer look at the effect

of Consumerism on a prosaic lifestyle presents a sense of overt preoccupation or rather a state of being ‘consumed’ by a

subconscious drive toward the material acquisition of things.

The angle from which Sang-Taek presents his artworks is taken from the captured desires of a consumer, where the line between

the necessaries of life and the desire for possessions is blurred. Referencing the artist Barbara Kruger‘s artwork from the 80’s, ‘I

shop therefore I am’, Sang-Taek’s interpretation of the message has led him to believe that people are lost in a material world.

Individuals constantly strive to define themselves by transient objects that may not necessarily be necessaries. There is a

tendency to think or believe that people purchase items that represent who they are as an individual. However, we must take

into consideration the difference between understanding personal taste and defining identities. Material possessions are a

choice and therefore cannot solely define our identity.

In (un)Necessaries, Sang-Taek presents images of a virtual closet that holds luxury brand clothing. Utilizing the outline of

clothing on canvas, he intentionally creates a surrealistic space. The relationship between the fluid outline of clothing against the

solid black background resembles the aesthetic of oriental paintings. Throughout history, asian art has embodied an

appreciation for the beauty of empty space. Through Sang-Taek’s aesthetic approach, viewers can appreciate elements of

oriental beauty and reconsider its relationship to the concept of indispensable human desire.

For Sang-Taek, these images are a reminder of the compulsive need to acquire or to possess. Yet, he also acknowledges that

these needs are only his wishful desire, resulting in a sense of emptiness fringing on hollow needs. The magnification of the

image through print makes it possible for the viewer to experience the unfamiliar magnitude of the apparels.

To the artist, the closet is an intimate part of our daily lives. To open it to others, revealing objects of past desires and personal

artifacts is like exposing our naked bodies and truths. The expression of his artworks in this series further poses a question to its

viewers: ‘How does it feel to peer into these various anonymous closets holding sophisticated garments?’

In (un)Necessaries, Sang-Taek leaves the message open-ended for the viewer to interpret whilst reminding us to think about the

complexities of life; the fundamentality of corporeal vulnerability to ephemeral desires.

Closet #68 – 70 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2013

Closet #64 – 65 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2013

Closet #66 – 67 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2013

Closet #23 – 25 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2012

Closet #48 – 49 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2012

Closet #73 – 74 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 198 cm / 2013

Closet # 75 – 77 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2013

Closet #61 – 62 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2012

Closet #39 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm / 2013

Closet #71 – 72 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2013

Closet #41 – 43 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2013

Closet #1 – 2 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2012

Closet #26 – 27 / photographic colour print on canvas / 150 x 95 cm (Each) / 2012

SANG TAEK OH (b.1970, Korea) has delivered affirmative messages in photography through his gradually progressed series of works. He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (B.F.A) and San Francisco Art Institute in the United States (M.F.A). The works of Sang Taek Oh has been exhibited extensively in Korea and worldwide, including China, US, and Canada. He was a recipient of an artist residency at National art studio, Goyang and Seoul City Art Studio, Nanji, one of the most prestigious residency programmes in Korea. Also, he has received awards from renowned foundations and museums in Korea, such as, SEMA (Seoul Museum of Art) Awards 2010 and he has established his collections in Korea’s major museums: National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art and Museum of Art Seoul National University. He currently lives and working as a Professor in Seoul Art Institute, Korea. SANG TAEK OH (b.1970, Korea)

Education

1996 M.F.A. San Francisco Art Institute. San Francisco, USA 1994 B.F.A. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, USA 1990 Seoul Institute of Arts. Seoul, Korea

Solo Exhibitions

2010 Sports II, Gallery JinSun, Seoul 2010 City Romance, Trunk Gallery, Seoul 2008 Sports, Brain Factory, Seoul Process (2008 Contact Photo Festival), Lee Ka-Sing Gallery, Toronto, Canada 2007 Process, InSa Art Center, Seoul 2005 Necessaries, JuYoung Gallery, Seoul

Selected Group Exhibitions

2013 New Waves, Korea, Taksu Gallery, Singapore 2010 Myths of the City, Imperial Palace Hotel, Seoul 2009 Honest Lie, Zaha Museum, Seoul

2009 Incheon Art Flatform Opening Exhibition ‘Dasigeahag’- Incheon Art Flatform, Incheon 9th Songeun Artist Award, InSa Art Center, Seoul The White Shirt, LG Flagship Culture Space, Seoul Photo Korea ‘Shooting Image’, Seoul COEX, Seoul

Awards & Grant

2010 SeMA Young Artists- Seoul Museum of Arts, Korea Grant for Visual Art- Seoul Foundation Arts & Culture, Korea 2009 9th Songeun Artist Award- SongEun Art & Cultural Foundation, Korea

Residence Programs

2008-09 Seoul City Nanji Art Studio, 3rd Artist (Long Term), Seoul, Korea 2007-08 National Art Studio Goyang, 4th Artist (Long Term), Goyang, Korea 2007 Artists-in-Residence Instituto Sacatar, Itaparica, Brazil

Selected Collections

- Seoul Museum of Art, Korea - Incheon Art Foundation Art Bank, Korea - National Museum of Contemporary Art Art Bank, Korea - Gyeonggido Museum of Art, Korea

© 2013 TAKSU S ingapore www.taksu.com