<Professor Oh Myung Hee's We Are All Flowers from the Same Garden Exhibition>
On December 3rd 2024, a solo exhibition by Professor Oh Myung Hee was opened at Oman’s Bait Muzna Gallery, at the invitation of Sayyida Susan Al Said.
Titled "We Are All Flowers of the Same Garden," this retrospective exhibition explores Professor Oh’s artistic evolution, through the allegorical depiction of a garden, and reflects on her decade-long journey connecting diverse cultures.
As a member of the media attending the event, I found the exhibition to be a unique and enriching experience. It was indeed a celebratory festival, fostering harmony through cultural exchanges and interactions, symbolizing the coexistence of diversity and unity within the metaphorical garden. Professor Oh’s works offer an evocative reminder of the interconnectedness we share, transcending time and space.
The opportunity for Professor Oh to showcase her work in Oman arose from relationships cultivated during her exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery, London and the Venice Biennale, Italy. Following these exhibitions, a formal invitation was extended to Metamorphosis Art Projects by Sayyida Susan Al Said to hold an exhibition in Oman to feature Oh Myung Hee's art works. Her long-standing collaboration with Tatiana Palinkasev and Eva McGaw, curators and founders of Metamorphosis Art Projects, who have represented her works over the past decade, has further added depth and significance to this event.
Having previously been introduced to her earlier works by Metamorphosis Art Projects, I was struck by the passionate themes embedded in her art which further deepened my admiration for her creativity and vision.
My journey to Oman for this media coverage was also rooted in a serendipitous connection. I, too, was introduced to Sayyida Susan Al Said by a Belgian artist friend. It was during this meeting that Sayyida Susan Al Said introduced me to Professor Oh’s work and extended an invitation to attend this special exhibition at her gallery.
As a South Korean national, this exhibition in Oman held particular significance as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Oman and South Korea. To mark this milestone, Ambassador Kiju Kim attended the event and delivered a congratulatory speech.
The collaboration between Professor Oh and Sayyida Susan Al Said, in conjunction with Metamorphosis Art Projects, has culminated in this exceptional exhibition in Oman. These meaningful connections leave me eagerly anticipating the next chapter of Professor Oh’s artistic journey.
Professor Oh has expressed that, upon arriving in Oman, she felt an intimate connection for her art, inspired by the vast energy of the majestic stone mountains that surround the region. This natural grandeur fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie among the participants, reflecting the overarching message of the exhibition.
This exhibition conveys a profound and universal message that although we may differ in shape, size, and colour, shared experiences and emotions unite us as one. Both the artist and her work invite us to look forward to the new flowers we will discover and the meaningful encounters that will blossom as we journey through this ever-expanding garden of life.
This exhibition has been extended at Bait Muzna Gallery into February and, following a recent collaboration, the Muscat Stock Exchange will be featuring some of Professor Oh's art works at their premises.
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