Between 21 November and 2 December, London Gallery West held a two-part South Korean Graphic Design exhibition. The exhibition was co-curated by University of Westminster Senior Lecturer Hans-Dieter Reichert.
Part one, which ran between 21-25 November, showcased the work of South Korean graphic designer and San José State University professor Chang Sik Kim.
Before joining San José in 2000, Chang was the Art Director at Seoul Graphic Design Centre, Korea Herald Weekly and Hanglisa Publication, and throughout his career, Chang has produced designs for many corporate and institutional clients, including Samsung Electronics, Amazon and Yahoo. The exhibition at London Gallery West was Chang’s 13th solo exhibition.
In terms of his work and style, Chang specialises in metamorphic image making and experimental typography, visual identity design and mascot design. The exhibition at London Gallery West gave visitors, particularly Art and Graphic Design students, the opportunity to admire and be inspired by Chang’s complex and ambitious designs.
Speaking about the exhibition, Chang said: “I love to play with signs, symbols, and icons…My goal is to create a series of typograms through my solo exhibition and course projects. I also intend to present a piece of literature that reveals ideas and visuals with cohesion between form and messages that are simple and abstract yet powerful enough to convey the complex idea and more profound level of meaning through humour.”
“This [exhibition] covers many topics – from self-portraits to typographic poems and unique display typeface design. It is divided into several sections; each section consists of different issues with a visually and conceptually exciting and compelling methodology.”
Referring to his work and his intentions for exhibiting at the University, Chang said: “It may start as a small pond, but its ripples may compel other designers, artists, and more importantly, students, to reflect good thought processes to develop their creative minds and approach typographic expression and imagination.”
Chang’s research on integrating type sign and image in conjunction with visual metaphors and methodologies to bring complex ideas to life has been internationally recognised and has earned him multiple awards.
Senior Graphic Design lecturer and co-curator of the exhibition Hans-Deiter Reichert said: “Prof Chang Sik Kim is a well-known design educator, working at the State University of San José, working across the continents and building relationships with academic institutions in the visual culture sector. His reputation as a consultant and practising designer involves him with high-tech corporate clients in Silicon Valley. It was great and inspirational to display his personal and experimental graphic design work in our gallery at the University of Westminster.”
2022 Ulsan Oesol International TypoGraphic Exhibition, Korea
Chang and Hans also co-curated part two of the South Korean Graphic Design exhibition at London Gallery West, which ran between November 25 and 3 December. The exhibition’s title was 2022 Ulsan, Oesol International Typography Exhibition, Korea, and it featured posters that had been shown at an international graphic design event and conference that took place in Ulsan earlier this year.
The theme of the international competition, and therefore Westminster’s exhibition, was Letter and Image: Typographic Odyssey. The international entries commemorated the 51st anniversary of the discovery of the Ulsan Bangudae Petroglyphs. These petroglyphs, found on cliffs near the Taehwa River, Uslan, consisted of many engravings of figures, mainly animals and humans.
Those ancient designs aimed to encourage viewers to reflect on the value and artistry of petroglyphs as the source of written communication. They also sought to demonstrate how cultural heritage is often the source of inspiration behind modern typography design by leading domestic and foreign artists and designers.
Hans said: “The students had the opportunity to visit the exhibition and draw inspiration from the international graphic design work, and it turned out to be a special pre-Christmas treat for the undergraduate Design students who study Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation and Game design in our School of Media and Communication.”’
Find out more about the Graphic Design BA Honours course at the University of Westminster.
Find out more about upcoming exhibitions at London Gallery West.
