Haru K
Haru K (b. 1980) is a South Korean contemporary artist known for reinterpreting traditional Asian landscape painting in a modern and imaginative way. He earned a BFA in Fine Arts (2006) and an MFA in Oriental Painting (2009) from Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea
Haru’s art explores the connection between the material and spiritual worlds, often using food as a metaphor. By playing with scale—enlarging small, everyday objects like food and compressing expansive landscapes—he creates surreal, visually striking works. These compositions encourage viewers to reflect on shared cultural and generational experiences while exploring the deeper meaning of nature and human connection.
Haru. K's work has garnered critical acclaim for its innovation and intricate detail. Nanjo Fumio, art historian and former director of the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, notes:
"Seeing Haru. K’s art for the first time, I was captivated by the distinct worlds he brings to life. His work, reminiscent of a bird’s-eye view of another planet, is crafted from an extraordinary imagination that continually generates these layered, dreamlike environments.
Haru. K’s works have been featured in exhibitions across Asia, the U.S., and Europe, including recent showings at Art Jakarta (Jakarta, Indonesia, 2024), Art Paris, (France, 2024), Art on Paper Brussels (Brussels, Belgium 2023), and Art Antwerp (Antwerp, Belgium, 2023). His works are part of collections at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) - Art Bank in Seoul, Gwangju Museum of Art, Seongnam Cultural Foundation, and corporate collections such as Samsung Electronics, Shinsegae Department Store, ETRO, and Galila's P.O.C. (Passion Obsession Collection), among others.
EDUCATION
2006 BFA in Fine Arts, Hongik University, Seoul, KR
2009 MFA in Oriental Paintings, Hongik University, Seoul, KR
AWARDS
2019 Young Artist Invistional, Ha Jung-woong Museum of Art, KR
2013 Grand prize, Shinsegae Art Award, KR
2021 Cheongju Art Studio, Cheongju, KR
2014 Bijing Residency, Gwngju Museum of Art, Beijing, CN
2012-2013 Yangsan-dong Art Studio, Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju, KR
2010-2011 Uijae Art Studio, Uijae Cultural Foundation, Gwangju, KR
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Edited Landscapes, Namuso Gallery, The Hague, NL
2023 Imagine Nature on the Table, Felix Frachon Gallery, Brussels, BE
2021 Under_200, Centum City Shinsegae Gallery, Busan, KR
2020 Yum Yum Sansu, Suwon Museum of Art, Suwon, KR
2019 A Bizarre Eater: Washin Jjambbong, Gwangju Museum of Art , Gwangju, KR
2016 Seoul Delicious Landscape, Palais de Seoul, Seoul, KR
2015 Delicious Landscape, Shinsegae Gallery, Gwangju, KR
2014 One day, Namdo Traditional Folk Food Museum, Gwangju, KR
2013 Delicious Landscape, GMA Gallery, Seoul, KR
2010 Object, Kumho Gallery, Gwangju, KR
2009 Haru’s Memory, Gallery M, Seoul, KR
2007 Live in the City, Kwanhoon Gallery, Seoul, KR
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Asian Art on Paper, Namuso Gallery, The Hague, NL
2024 Art Jakarta, Jakarta, ID
2024 Galeri R.J. Katamsi, Yogyajarta, ID
2024 Art Paris, Paris, FR
2024 Contemporary Korean Art, Namuso Gallery, The Hague, NL
2024 Hello Museum, Seoul, Korea
2023 Art Antwerp, Antwerp, BE
2023 New Normal New Wave, Sejong Museum of Art, Seoul, KR
2023 International Eco-Art Season and Literature Exhibition, Shanghai, CN
2023 Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale, Mokpo Culture & Art Center, KR
2022 Nam June Paik Korean Cultural Center, New Delhi, IN
2022 Art Space San Antonio, San Antonio City, USA
2021 Sejong Museum of Art, Seoul, KR
2020 Asia Culture Center(ACC), Gwanju, KR
2017 Yeosu International Art Festival, Yeosu World Expo, KR
2016 Korea-China-Japan Art Festival, Ningbo Cultural Center, Ningbo, CN
2016 200 Years of the Namdo Art, Busan Museum of Art, Busan, KR 2015 Light
2015, Young Artist Invitation Exhibition, Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju, KR
2015 Neo-Sansu, Daegu Museum, Daegu, KR
2014 A Day at a Time, Pyo Gallery, Beijing, CN
2014 GMA Beijing Residency Report Exhibition, Force Gallery, Beijing, CN
2011 Arts Center Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul, KR
2010 Literary Taste, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Nanjing, CN
2009 Korea-China Ink-wash Painting Exchange Exhibition, Uijae Museum of Korean Art, Gwangju, KR
PUBLICATIONS
2022 Another Landscapes: Essays about Haru. K’s artworks, sponsored by ARTS COUNCIL KOREA
2021 Delicious Landscapes: Utopia for Modern People, Asia Culture Center, KR
2019 Weird Gourmet Haru. K, Gwangju Museum of Art, KR
COLLECTIONS
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) - Art Bank in Seoul, Gwangju Museum of Art, Seongnam Cultural Foundation, and corporate collections such as Samsung Electronics and Shinsegae Department Store, ETRO, and Galila's P.O.C. (Passion Obsession Collection) among others.
