Artists strive to beat the ‘Urban Heat’

Is summer sapping your strength? The International Artists is running an exhibition on just that in Seoul.

“Urban Heat,” which runs until Aug. 4, will include work by 13 artists from nine countries. IAC director Mike Stewart said that the paintings on show included some flown in from Ireland and the U.K.

The exhibition started Tuesday, but has a formal opening on Saturday, with performances including reggae, DJs and spoken word starting at 8 p.m. There will also be a life drawing class in the gallery courtyard starting at 6 p.m., with anyone invited to join in on the day.

Stewart said that the performances had been chosen with variety in mind, but aimed to reflect the exhibition’s urban premise.

The theme had been inspired by the common complaint that the sweltering heat sapped people’s motivation, he said.

“Many artists even take the summer off to travel, but we’re showing that there are ways to still be active and creative, even while sweating,” he said.

The art on show is eclectic, with some inspired by advertising from the early 20th century, and others showing buildings bathed in warm colors or melting in the heat. In another, a man steals a cheeky bite of a stranger’s ice cream while she is not looking.

“Some of the artwork explores the city itself, through cityscapes and its people,” said Stewart. “Indian artist Priyanka Ghotkekar will be displaying several recent paintings inspired by the humidity and colors in the Seoul skies. Canadian artist Loren E. Rudisuela has created artworks of fantastic heat-fighting machines or robots.”

There will also be a night art market at the gallery on Aug. 3. Stewart explained that musicians would be playing at the market while people sold or bartered artworks and craft items.

Stewart, who recently took over as director of the IAC, said he hoped to develop relationships with similar groups in other countries this year, with a view to holding exchange exhibitions with them.

To get to Gallery Golmok, leave Exit 3 of Noksapyeong Station. Walk past the entrance of Itaewon’s main strip and past Suji’s, turning left at the sign saying Saville Row. The gallery is a short way along the alley on the right.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)