About the Artist T.A.K. was born in 1982 and grew up enjoying daydreaming and painting in the backdrop of junkyards and other backgrounds as a child. His works are themed around memories, lacks, and the wounds that arise in relationships, and he captures the process of caressing those wounds through his canvas work.
T.A.K.'s work focuses on capturing personal experiences and inner wounds in a unique way. What sets him apart from other artists is evident in his work philosophy and creative process:
A way of working that considers canvas as 'skin' T.A.K. treats canvas as human skin, and in the process of work, he delicately scratches, rubs, and wipes off paint as if caressing a wound. This unique approach goes beyond simple painting and contains meanings related to healing.
The ingenuity of material utilization in his ASHES series uses carbon powder and black, utilizing the working material as an emotional and philosophical symbol rather than simply treating it as a physical element. This process is in touch with his condition and conveys a message of depth.
Illusionary Representation Through Light and Darkness The VANISH series uses the contrast between light and darkness to explore inner conflicts and illusions. The layered paints create the effect of light and shadow taking different shapes from different angles, even though they are flat.
Some original techniques used in T.A.K.'s work enhance the world of his work:
Approaching Canvas Like Skin T.A.K. does not see the canvas as a simple medium of painting, but rather works with human skin. He repeatedly scratches or rubs the canvas, as if caressing the wound, expressing emotional depth. Layers of paint and materials are used to work with layers of paint, graphite, and carbon powder layered on top of each other. This layering technique adds dimension to the artwork, creating different visual effects depending on the light and angle.
Scraping and Wiping Techniques: Use a large brush or tool to scrape or wipe the canvas to form the texture and boundaries of the artwork. This creates original patterns and textures on the screen.
Philosophical Use of Specialized Materials, particularly in the ASHES series, he utilizes materials like carbon powder to visualize loss and emptiness. The use of these materials goes beyond mere visual elements and is closely linked to the artist's inner state.
Illusionary Representations In the VANISH series, the contrast between light and darkness creates a three-dimensional, illusory effect rather than a flat piece. This, combined with the nature of the layered canvas, makes the form look different.
Titled Series This series of works treats canvas as skin, composing the canvas through lines and boundaries. The use of a mixture of oil paints and graphite, and the use of repeated brushstrokes, scratches, and wipes to create unique textures. The titles of the works reflect a philosophical approach to giving names to all beings in the world.
VANISH Series This series utilizes the contrast between light and darkness to create an illusionary and dreamy effect. Layered paints have the characteristic of looking different from various angles even though they are flat. The author explores inner conflicts and fantasies through this series.
ASHES Series These works use carbon powder and black to visualize loss and emptiness. The process of turning on and stacking materials on the canvas is closely linked to the artist's inner state, creating images reminiscent of empty spaces and scars.
∎Solo Exhibition
2025 “MOONMAEK” eur art space, Seoul, Korea
2025 series of sequence, m ArtCenter, Seoul, Korea
2022 trace, Schengen gallery, Gwangju, Korea
2022 Purification, Index gallery, Seoul, Korea
2021 The moment you stop, 4f ArtSpace, Seoul, Korea
2020 Mr. Memo, 4f ArtSpace, Seoul, Korea
2018 ...too, Daham gallery, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2017 Be isolated, arioso gallery, Ulsan, Korea
2012 I am with You Via Jung gallery Banpo & Buchen branch, Seoul, Korea
2010 Exhibition of Shinkilsu at Between TnB Gong Art Space –1F, Seoul, Korea
∎Art Fair
2019_Hometable Deco fair, Daham gallery, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2019 Asia Hotel Art Fair, special exhibition, paradise hotel, Busan, Korea
2018 Artasia ,project group “artabitat”,kintex exhibition center1 hall5, Goyangsi, Gyeonggi-do,
Korea
2018 Kunst Zurich via simyo gallery, ABB Hall 550, Zürich, Switzerland
2018 AHAF Via Daham gallery, Grand Inter Continental Seoul Parana’s, Seoul, Korea
2016 Spoon art show at Kintex Via keumsan gallery, Goyangsi, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2013 Special Exbition of Door’s Art fair at Imperial Palace Hotel Via 4walls gallery, Seoul, Korea
2010 Shanghai International Art Tech at Everbright Expiation Hall, Shanghai, Chaina
2009 9th Korean Contemporary Art Festival (KCAF), Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul, Korea
∎Group Exhibition
2023_Exhibition “㒇我”, gallery pakyoung, paju, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
https://takarchive.imweb.me/2025-09-17
2023_Re-Opening Exhibition Daham gallery, Seoul, Korea
2022 swamp of anxiety, jueso space, Seoul, Korea
2021 Exhibition “heuk”, Kepco Art Center, Seoul, Korea
2021_recto_verso, Schengen gallery, Gwangju, Korea
2019 Art rental business, Lee bae gallery, Busan, Korea
2019 Special Exhibition by Selected Artists, gallery knot, Seoul, Korea
2018 topaz, leesang art space, Seoul, Korea
2018 1st sharing Art, Zaha gallery, Seoul, Korea
2016 Similar plywood _Their individual engraving, ash gallery, Paju, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2016 Face off, ash gallery, paju, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2016 Palace coup drama, ash gallery, Paju, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2015 100 people 100 pieces exhibition, Hyundai h Mall_Art & Company, Seoul, Korea
2014 rising star, NH Lakeside Art gallery, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2014 another view, Arioso Gallery, Ulsan, Korea
2013 find the essence of proper art, NH Lakeside Art gallery, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2012 G-FAIR KOREA, Jung Gallery, KINTEX, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Korea
2012 green movement, LVS Gallery, Green Groove Festival 2012, Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do Korea
2012 Bubar and Pequiche, Namsong Museum of Art, Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do Korea
2012 something speacial, jungGallery, Seoul Korea
2012 paasion of artist NH Lakeside Art gallery, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
2011 PRIVATE BANK EXHIBITION 28th, Art & Company, Shinhan PB Yeoksam Branch, Seoul Korea
2010 The 3rd Art Auction Show, Seoul Auction Gangnam Branch, Seoul Korea
2010 The 3rd Dada Gallery Special Exhibition, Dada Gallery, Gangnam Center, Seoul Korea
2010 The 3rd Wallpaper, Alternative Space Door, Seoul Korea
2010 F.A.M. Collection Exhibition, Gallery Gak, Seoul Korea
2009 Room for 6 people, Shinhan PB Center Jamsil Branch, Seoul Korea
2008 Park Jung-bin Shin Gil-soo's invitation exhibition, Soul Art Space Gallery, Busan Korea
2008 contemporaneous-Two Memories, Gallery Cafe Kish, Seoul Korea
2007 A New Expression Exhibition for Young People, Daegu Bank Gallery, Daegu Korea
2007 sight in the dreams, Art Love Gallery, Daegu Korea
2006 KAFF in seoul 9th Artfair, Fair Art Center, Seoul Korea