Jin-Hyun Nam

In 2023, I published a book containing 30 of my works and 30 short essays. The title is ‘A Revolutionary Who Became a Painter’. This is a title that encapsulates my life.
I am Korean, and entered the College of Engineering at Seoul National University in 1981. After opening my eyes to the social reality under military fascism, I naturally joined the student movement and later took the lead in the movement for democracy and social revolution in Korean society. I was eventually arrested for violating the National Security Act in 1990, sentenced to 13 years in prison, and was released after serving 8 years in prison. After working for a living, I started studying art to get my life back.
All of my works reflect the musings and agony of my youth in prison.
Anger at human society full of contradictions, despair and sadness at the absurdity of human existence, and still hope that cannot be given up. These are the messages of all my works.

6 solo exhibitions
(2013, 2104 Insa Art Center, 2021 Maru Art Center, 2022 Gallery Boda, 2023 Samjian Gallery, 2023 Jeju French Film Festival)
2023 K-ART-LONDON (London Mall Gallery)
Invitation Exhibition May 2023 Gallery Ssamjian
2022 Busan International Gallery Art Fair (BAMA), K Art Fair, Gyeongju Art Fair
2021 100 Korean Contemporary Paintings Exhibition (Maru Art Center)
2020 Special exhibition at Van Der Plas Gallery, New York,