Suh Se-ok (1929–2020) was a pioneering figure in modern Korean art, widely celebrated for his role in bridging traditional ink painting with contemporary abstraction. A founding member of the influential Mungnimhoe (Ink Forest Society), Suh redefined the possibilities of sumukhwa (Korean ink painting) by moving beyond figurative representation toward a language of minimalist, gestural forms. His work is distinguished by a mastery of brush technique, dynamic spatial compositions, and a meditative use of negative space, reflecting both Eastern philosophy and modernist aesthetics.
Education:
1988 Honorary Ph.D., Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
1950 College of Fine Arts, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
2016 Suh Se Ok, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, South Korea
2015 Suh Se Ok, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea
2008 Where Clouds Disperse: Ink Paintings by Suh Se-ok, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston, TX
2007 People by Suh Se Ok, Maison Hermes, Tokyo, Japan
2005 Suh Se Ok (The Artist of the Year), National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art,Deoksugung, Seoul, South Korea
2003 Suh Se Ok, Gallery Bijutsu Sekai, Tokyo, Japan
2000 Suh Se Ok, Special Exhibition at Gwangju Biennial, Gwangju, South Korea
1985 Suh Se Ok, Sydney Mishkin Gallery, Baruch College, New York, NY
1983 Suh Se Ok, Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, CA
1979 Suh Se Ok, Gallery Ueda, Tokyo, Japan
Awards:
2021 Order of Cultural Merit, Gold medal, South Korea
2012 Order of Cultural Merit, Silver medal, South Korea
2007 The 52nd National Academy of Arts Award, South Korea
1999 The Artistic and Culture Prize of 13th Federation of Artistic and Culture, South Korea 1997 Ilmin Art Prize, Seoul, South Korea
1994 Seoul Cultural Prize, Seoul, South Korea
1993 Order of Civil Merit, Pomegranate Medal, South Korea
1949 1st National Fine Art Exhibition, Prime Minister Prize, South Korea
Collections:
British Museum, London, United Kingdom
Daejeon Museum of Art, Daejeon, South Korea
Daelim Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea
Ho-Am Museum, Yongin, South Korea
Korea University Museum, Seoul, South Korea
Ministry of Culture, Paris, France
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, South Korea
Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario, Canada
Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul National University Museum, Seoul, South Korea
USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, CA
Yonsei University Museum, Seoul, South Kore