Spring arrives early this year at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver) with its newest exhibit by Seoul-based artist, Suki Seokyeong Kang. Featuring work that took years to create, Kang’s largest solo exhibition is now on view until May 4, 2025.
Suki Seokyeong Kang: Mountain—Hour—Face, co-curated by senior curator, Miranda Lash, and associate curator, Leilani Lynch, features over 70 pieces of mixed media including sculpture, poetry, paintings, video and dance that put Kang’s themes, use of materials and experimentation on full display. “The entire exhibition is themed around the idea of mountains, nature and landscapes and how we relate to each other and space. So we love the idea of ascension as you move through the spaces,” says Lash.
Kang’s largest solo museum show occupies the entirety of the museum building. Each piece is thoughtfully curated to fit into the space. With high ceilings, the second floor hosts the tallest pieces in the show including woven mats, suspended shapes and mobile sculptures. “We wanted to take advantage of height and show Kang’s love of and long-time work with hwamunseok (woven mats) and how she approaches them as a form of painting.”
Using height emphasizes Kang’s attention to detail, offering layers and unconventional perspectives to her work. Mats usually placed on the floor dangle from the ceilings so visitors can experience them in their entirety, a feature you often don’t see. Along the sides of Kang’s paintings are coatings of paint or wood woven together by thread turning her everyday practice into three-dimensional masterpieces. “There’s a lot of little moments of reveal,” says Lash. “Like this idea of pulling together, almost like tying a shoe or drawing a connection and making that a visible part of the work.”
Neighboring the draped mats on the second floor is another show of Kang’s deft use of perspective called “Mountain Series” featuring the artist’s portrayal of the seasons through her vision of landscapes and highlighting her masterful use of texture. “Mountains are usually larger than life and not on the domestic scale and this changes our perspective of encountering the mountains,” said Lash. Though the mountains are smaller in size compared to our Rockies, it’s Kang’s use of materials and structure that mimic rock formations.
Soft fabricate and chainmail comes together to replicate the snow and icicles of winter and brown shag recreates the warmth of autumn. “A theme you’ll see throughout the show is hard and soft,” said Lash. Kang does not shy away from combining harsh metals with soft fabrics. “She [Kang] often likes mashing together things that feel like they might not make sense, but somehow they come together in a really wonderful way,” said Leilani Lynch. “She talks about this idea of mediation, which is a great metaphor for how we relate to each other and often come with our own perspectives and how sometimes we have to come together in society to find harmony in some way.”
Suki Seokyeong Kang: Mountain—Hour—Face at MCA Denver goes beyond visuals. Throughout the space, audiences will hear Kang’s voice recite poetry both old and contemporary reflecting pieces around the gallery. “A lot of the titles of her work are specific and poetic in and of themselves,” says Lash. “There’s poems that reference the passage of time, seasons and nature that feel really connected to the works.” Weaving the artwork together, the poetry flows throughout the museum to make an immersive storytelling experience for Kang’s audience.
With Kang’s prominent themes of nature, it’s no coincidence that the artist’s biggest exhibit is held in the Centennial State. “Colorado’s abundance of rich natural resources, including our majestic mountains, essential water sources and expansive plains, present a fitting setting for Kang’s exhibition,” says Lynch. Even if you’re unfamiliar with her work, Denver locals will appreciate her love of the natural world and maybe even see our landscapes differently.
Whether you love the wild surroundings of our state, appreciate contemporary art or just need a serene escape, Kang creates a place of solace for everyone. Her warm and meditative exhibition is a break from the dreary weather and everyday stressors of life. “It’s a rich show if you’re interested in Korean history, but this is also a great winter show,” said Lash. “The textures are so warm and inviting. It’s a great contemplative show especially when it’s cold outside to take in the materials and take a moment to exhale, slow down and appreciate things.”
Take a moment for yourself and enjoy the experimental richness of Kang’s largest exhibition, Suki Seokyeong Kang: Mountain—Hour—Face at MCA Denver from now until May.