• Artworks
    • SoHyun Bae Nature of Water #9, 2016 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 48 x 60 in. 121.9 x 152.4 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Nature of Water #9, 2016
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      48 x 60 in.
      121.9 x 152.4 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Wrapped Shards: Vessel #4, 2023 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 40 x 30 in. 101.6 x 76.2 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Wrapped Shards: Vessel #4, 2023
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      40 x 30 in.
      101.6 x 76.2 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Nature of Water #10, 2016 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 48 x 60 in. 121.9 x 152.4 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Nature of Water #10, 2016
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      48 x 60 in.
      121.9 x 152.4 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Untitled, 2018 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 30 x 30 in. 76.2 x 76.2 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Untitled, 2018
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      30 x 30 in.
      76.2 x 76.2 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Nature of Water #12, 2016 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 48 x 60 in. 121.9 x 152.4 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Nature of Water #12, 2016
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      48 x 60 in.
      121.9 x 152.4 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Nature of Water #6 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 72 x 48 in. 182.9 x 121.9 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Nature of Water #6
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      72 x 48 in.
      182.9 x 121.9 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Nature of Water #13, 2017 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 72 x 48 in. 182.9 x 121.9 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Nature of Water #13, 2017
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      72 x 48 in.
      182.9 x 121.9 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Wrapped Shards #9, 2023 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 60 x 60 in. 152.4 x 152.4 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Wrapped Shards #9, 2023
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      60 x 60 in.
      152.4 x 152.4 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Ravine, 2021 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 72 x 60 in. 182.9 x 152.4 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Ravine, 2021
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      72 x 60 in.
      182.9 x 152.4 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae Untitled (Pokpo), 2020 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 108 x 72 in. 274.3 x 182.9 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      Untitled (Pokpo), 2020
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      108 x 72 in.
      274.3 x 182.9 cm.
    • SoHyun Bae I Penitenti, 2015 Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas 72 x 108 in. 182.9 x 274.3 cm.
      SoHyun Bae
      I Penitenti, 2015
      Rice-paper and pure pigment on canvas
      72 x 108 in.
      182.9 x 274.3 cm.
  • Editions
  • Biography

    In haunting paintings and mixed-media works, SoHyun Bae visualizes themes and figures traditionally suppressed in Korean culture. Often done in a muted palette of white, gray, and beige, her surfaces suggest forms while also alluding to latent narratives and alternate histories. Bae is particularly influenced by the lack of female portraiture in the Josun Dynasty (1392–1910), a period in which many of the country’s mores and much of its culture developed. Many of her works offer a belated corrective to its absence of female representation by depicting women or referring to traditionally female Korean handicrafts.

    In her Nature of Water series we see a continuation of the Wrapped Shards series, which is inspired by the Jewish Mystical understanding of why we have suffering in this world. It is an exploration of tzimtum, the “Mystery of the Breaking of the Vessels.” In the Nature of Water series, Bae continues to examine the precariousness and fragility of life and the strength in vulnerability through depicting shards found in our natural world. Both series reflect the influence of Elie Wiesel, the Nobel laureate and mentor to Bae who introduced her to the Jewish mystical thought, providing a profound impact on her vision as an artist. 

  • CV

    Works in New York, NY
     
    EDUCATION
     
    MTS, Harvard University, Master of Theological Studies, Cambridge, MA
    MFA, Boston University, Boston, MA
    BFA, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
    European Honors Program, Rome, Italy
     
    SOLO EXHIBITIONS
     
    2024 
    SoHyun Bae, 375 Hudson Street/Jay Grimm Advisory, New York City
    2021 
    Nature of Water, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    2020 
    Bearing the Burden, NAVA Contemporary, New York/San Francisco
    2018
    SoHyun Bae, Philips/450 Park Ave, New York City
    2015
    SoHyun Bae, RH Contemporary Art, New York, NY
    2011 
    Subliminal Icons: SoHyun Bae and Traditional Korean Art IN CONTEXT, Curated by Mario Diacono, Kang Contemporary, New York, NY
    2009 
    Adorned/Unadorned: SoHyun Bae/Fathi Hassan, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY 
    2008 
    Persimmons and Birds: SoHyun Bae, Philip Kang Gallery, Seoul, Korea
    2005 
    Wrapped Shards, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    2004 
    An Ode to the Women of Josun Dynasty, Nikola Rukai Gallery, Toronto, Canada
    2000 
    SoHyun Bae, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    1998 
    Kore, Mario Diacono Gallery, Boston, MA
    1997 
    Painting as Prayer, Harvard University Center for World Religions, Cambridge, MA
    An Ode to the Women of Josun Dynasty, Harvard University Yenching Institute, Cambridge, MA
    1994 
    SoHyun Bae, Harvard University Hilles Library Art Gallery, Cambridge, MA
     
    SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
     
    2024 
    (Re)Work It!: Women Artists on Women's Labor, MattatuckMuseum, Waterbury, CT
    2023 
    Blue Air, TechnoSonics Festival 
    Rotunda Dome Room, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
    2022 
    Blue Air, NYC Electronic Music Festival, New York City
    30th Anniversary Exhibition, Skoto Gallery, New York City
    2019
    GrahamDeconstructed: Steps in the Street with SoHyun Bae, Martha Graham Studio Series New York, NY
    Summer Selections, Hollis Taggart, New York, NY
    2018
    Grahm + Google, New York City 
    Art New York with Nikola Rukaj Gallery, Pier 94, New York City
    Sympathetic Magic, Westbeth Gallery, New York City
    2017 
    Group Show, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    2016 
    Art New York, Pier 94, New York, NY
    2014 
    Archive of Korean-American Artists, Part 2, Queens Museum and Korean Cultural
    Center/Ahl Foundation, New York, NY
    2013
    Paint: Selected Artists, Nikola Rukaj Gallery, Toronto, Canada
    2012 
    Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
    20th Anniversary Exhibition, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    2011 
    Group Exhibition, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    SoHyun Bae's Egg Woman II, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
    2010 
    Abundance, Kang Collection, New York, NY
    Group Exhbition, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    2009 
    Triple Light: SoHyun Bae, Shil-Il Kim, Ran Hwang, Museo Nacional di Visual Artes, Montevideo, Uruguay
    Group Exhibition, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    2008 
    The Korean International Art Fair, Seoul, Korea
    The Shanghai Art Fair, Shanghai, China
    Gallery Artists, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    2007 
    Korean Artists in the World: New York, Seoul Arts Center Hangaram Museum, Seoul, Korea
    Concurrence Divergence: Three Korean Women Painters - Wonsook Kim, SoHyun Bae, Changsoon Oh, Kang Collection Korean Art, New York, NY
    The International Asian Art Fair, New York, NY
    2006 
    The International Asian Art Fair, New York, NY
    Contemporary Art Asia, Sotheby's, New York, NY
    Mostly Ink, Kang Collection, New York, NY
    Group Exhibition, Rosenberg and Kaufman Fine Art, New York, NY
    2004 
    Selected Works, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    San Francisco Arts of Pacific Asia, San Francisco, CA
    Per l'Europa, Bibliotecca Lame, Bologna, Italy
    2003 
    Group Exhibition, Rosenberg and Kaufman Fine Art, New York, NY
    Works on Paper, Sanford L. Smith & Associates, Ltd., New York, NY
    The International Art Fair, Chicago, IL
    New American Paintings, Nikoa Rukaj Gallery, Toronto, Canada
     Hundred Years, Hundred Dreams, Space World, Long Island City, NY
    On and Off the Wall: New York Foundation for the Arts Painting Fellows, Philips, de Pury & Luxembourg, New York, NY
    The Affordable Art Fair, New York, NY
    Arts of Asia & Oceania Show, Santa Monica, CA
    Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
    2002 
    Group Exhibition, Andrew Bae Gallery, Chicago, IL
    2001 
    Presence, Skoto Gallery, New York, NY
    Stories, Gallery Korea, New York, NY
    1994 
    Thesis Exhibition, Boston University Art Gallery, Boston, MA
    1993 
    Juried Group Exhibition by Lois Dodd and Rosemary Trockel, The Bowery Gallery, New York, NY
    1992 
    Alumni Exhibition, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
    Invitational Exhibition, De Havilland Fine Art, Boston, MA
    1990 
    Group Exhibition, William Busta Gallery, Cleveland, OH
    1988 
    Group Exhibition, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
    1986 
    Group Exhibition, Yale University East Rock Institute, New Haven, CT
     
    AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES
     
    2023
    Le Moulin à Nef in Auvillar, France
    2019
    Lucas Artists Program, Montalvo Arts Center
    2007 
    John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship in Fine Art
    2002 
    New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Painting
    2000 
    Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Inc. Grant
    Artist Residency, The Corporation of Yaddo
    1996 
    National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, Virginia Center for Creative Arts 
    1993 
    Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture
    1991 
    Vermont Studio Center
    1986 
    Chautauqua Summer Institute
     
    COLLECTIONS
     
    The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
    The Peabody Archaeological Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
    The Museum of Modern Art, Finland
    Gana Art Center, Seoul, Korea
    Kang Collection, New York, NY
    Woods Collection, Lincoln, NE
    Mario Diacono, Boston, MA
    Neal, Gerber and Eisenberg, Chicago, IL
    The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Dubai, UAE
    Various private Collections
     
    PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

    2023 
    Zoom Lecture/Studio Visit, Graduate students at Harvard Divinity School (Spirituality andArt taught by Ann Braude, Director of the Women's Studies in Religion Program and SeniorLecturer on American Religious History)
    Slant Podcast with Dana Tai Soon Burgess
    Member of the Board of Directors, VCCA (Virginia Center for Creative Arts)
    KSACS Speaker, Columbia University
    Fellows Council Representative to the VCCA Board of Directors
    2022 
    Guest Speaker, Korean-American Student Conference, US and Korea
    2021 
    Zoom Studio Visit, Graduate students at Harvard Divinity School (Spirituality and Abstract Art taught by Ann Braude, Director of the Women's Studies in Religion Program and Senior Lecturer on American Religious History) 
    Featured Artist, First Glance, a special preview event featuring artists SoHyun Bae, Bill Jacobson, and Pat Lipsky for Long Views, an online art auction for the Virginia Center for Creative Arts 
    Member, Fellows Council at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Mt. San Angelo, VA 
    2019 
    Guest Artist, Martha Graham Studio Series, GrahamDeconstructed: Steps in the Street with SoHyun Bae, New York City
    2018
    Guest Artist, Google + Graham, Google, New York, NY
    2017
    Guest Speaker, Memorial for Richard Niebuhr, Hollis Professor of Divinity Emeritus, Memorial Church, Harvard University, Cambridge, Boston, MA
    2012 
    Juror, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Fellowships and Individual Artist Awards for
    Maryland and New Jersey, Baltimore, MD
    Guest Critic, Graduate Students Final Critiques, Boston University School of Fine
    Art, Boston, MA
    2011 
    Guest Critic, Graduate Students Final Critiques, Boston University School of Fine
    Art, Boston, MA
    2010 
    Judge Panel for Visual Art, The Corporation of Yaddo
    2008 
    Lecturer, Guest Critic, Rhode Island School of Design European Honors Program,
    Rome, Italy
    2006 
    Juror, Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grants Program (Painting), Boston, MA
    2005 
    Guest painter, Final Critiques, Academia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milano, Italy
    2003 
    Artist Talk, Philips, de Pury & Luxembourg, New York, NY
    2002 
    Lecturer, Artist & Audience Exchange, New York Foundation for the Arts, New York, NY
    1998-2000
    Archivist, Assistant to Karel Appel, New York, NY
    1998 
    Assistant to Esteban Vicente, New York, NY
    1997 
    Curator, About Drawing April 9 - May 9, 1997, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
    1996 
    Professor of Painting, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
    Tutor of Visual Art at Cabot House, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
    1995-1997
    Painter of Dioramas, The Peabody Museum Photo Archives, Harvard
    University, Cambridge, MA


    PUBLICATIONS

    2023 
    Slant Podcast, SoHyun Bae: Exploring the Universality of Imagery in Visual Art, Dana TaiSoon Burgess
    2020 
    Invincible Women: Conversations with 21 Inspiring and Successful American Immigrants, Bilha Chesner Fish, MD
    2019 
    Forbes, "Martha Graham Dance Company Brings A Historic Dance Piece Into A Contemporary Lens With "Steps In The Street," September 20, 2019, Risa Sarachan
    Oberon's Grove, "GrahamDeconstructed: Steps in the Street," September 26, 2019, Oberon
    2018 
    The New York Times, "In the Dance Lab with Math Graham," May 25, 2018, Gia Kourlas
    2015
    Channel 13, NYC-ARTS, SoHyun Bae at RH Contemporary Art, May 14, 2015, Christina Ha
    The Chicago Times, "SoHyun Bae, Solo Exhibition in New York at RH Contemporary Art," March 13, 2015, Mee-soon Bae
    The Korea Times of New York, "SoHyun Bae in Manhattan at RH Contemporary Art," March 27, 2015, Hee-Eun Choi
    Sky Voice Special Issue, "Wrapped Shards, SoHyun Bae in New York at RH Contemporary Art," February 28, 2015, Bong-soo Moon
    2011 
    Kang Collection, "Subliminal Icons: SoHyun Bae and Traditional Korean Art IN CONTEXT," November 4 - 23, 2011, Mario Diacono
    2009 
    La Diaria, "Corea en Montevideo pasando por Nueva York," September 23, 2009, Riccardo Boglione
    The Korea Times of New York, "Adorned/Unadorned: SoHyun Bae, 1.5 Generation Artist," March 25, 2009, Park Won Young
    The Korea Central Daily of New York, "SoHyun Bae: Adorned/Unadorned," March 25, 2009, Sukie Park
    2008 
    Philip Kang Gallery, "SoHyun Bae," October 29, 2008, David Cohen
    Philip Kang Gallery, "SoHyun Bae's Birds," October 29, 2008
    City Shinmoon, City Gallery, "SoHyun Bae," October 31, 2008
    Kukminilbo Kukinews, "Dormant Wings," November 3, 2008
    Double A Magazine, "Sohyun Bae at Philip Kang Gallery: Persimmons and Birds," Nov/Dec Issue, 2008
    2007
    Korean Herad, "Artists Bring Holiday Cheer from New York," November 23, 2007, Jean Oh
    Gyung-Hyang-Shin-Moon, "Korean Artists in the World: New York," November 26, 2007, Im Young Joo
    Han-Gyeo-Rae, "Their Art, After Korea, New York," November 13, 2007, Im Jong Ub
    Moon-Wha-Il-Bo, "Korean Contemporary Art in New York," November 14, 2007, Shin Sae Mi
    Mae-Il-Gyung-Jae, "Korean Artists Active in New York," November 9, 2007, Han Bae Sun
    The Korea Times of New York, "Rich and Meaningful Touch," September 6, 2007, Jin-Hae Kim
    The Korea Central Daily of New York, "Three Women Artists: Kim Wonsook, Bae SoHyun, Oh Changsoon," September 20, 2007, Sukie Park
    New York Times, "John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Announcement of the United States and Canadian Fellows," April 6, 2007
    Korea Central Daily of New York, "SoHyun Bae Receives the Guggenheim Fellowship," April 7, 2007, Sukie Park
    The Korea Times of New York, "SoHyun Bae Receives the Guggenheim Fellowship," April 7, 2007, Jin- Hae Kim
    Il Resto del Carlino, "Ha vinto SoHyun Bae, l'Americana di Bologna," 18 Aprile, 2007, Lorella Bolelli
    Associated Press Korea, "Artist, SoHyun Bae, wins the Guggenheim," April 11, 2007, Chaehee
    2006 
    Korea Central Daily of New York, "SoHyun Bae at The International Asian Art Fair," March 31, 2006, Oon- sook Kim
    The Korea Times, "SoHyun Bae at Sotheby's," September 15, 2006, Heung-Keun Kim
    2005 
    The Korea Times of New York, "SoHyun Bae: Wrapped Shards," February 22, 2005, Jin-Hae Kim
    The Korea Central Daily of New York, "Wrapping the Shattered World," February 25, 2005, Sukie Park
    The Segye Times, "Memories of Korea," February 19, 2005, Jessica Park
    Skoto Gallery, "Configuring Wrap," February 17, 2005, George Quasha
    2003 
    The Korea Central Daily of New York, "SoHyun Bae," June 28, 2003, Oon-sook Im
    The Korea Central Daily of New York, "SoHyun Bae," May 8, 2003, Oon-sook Im
    2002 
    The Korea Central Daily of New York, "SoHyun Bae -- Rceipient of The New York
    Foundation for the Arts Fellowship," June 8, 2002, Oon-sook Im
    Open Studios Press, "New American paintings," No. 38 Northeastern Competition
    2001 
    The Segye Times, "SoHyun Bae -- Feature Artist at Space World," July 30, 2001, Ok-ki Kim
    The Segye Times, "Absorption on Ground 31," April 30, 2001, Ok-ki Kim
    The Korea Times of New York, "SoHyun Bae at Gallery Korea," March 7, 2001
    The Korea Central Daily of New York, "SoHyun Bae at Gallery Korea," March 14, 2001
    2000 
    The Segye Times," 1.5 Generation Artist SoHyun Bae Debut Solo Exhibition in New York," October 27, 2000
    The Korea Times of New York, "Interview with SoHyun Bae -- An Ode to the Women of Josun Dynasty," November 4, 2000, Jin-Hae Kim
    Skoto Gallery, "SoHyun Bae's Sisterhood," October 13, 2000, Alexi Worth
    The New Yorker, "Short List," December 11, 2000
    1998 
    Boston Sunday Herald, "Shared Korean heritage informs divergent art," July 12, 1998, Mary Sherman
    1997 
    Yisei Magazine, Harvard University, "SoHyun Bae: Korean-American Artist," Summer 1997 Issue, Jonathan Harlow

    Download Bae CV