The exhibition spotlighting the works of the French master Michel Henry concluded successfully at the Hangaram Art Museum in the Seoul Arts Center on March 16. This event was an encore exhibition that extended from the previous exhibition held from October 18 to November 17 last year, driven by enthusiastic responses from the audience.
Michel Henry (1928–2016) secured a unique position in the European art scene with his distinctive techniques that utilized color and light. His works transcended simple forms and abstraction, expressing senses and emotions through colors, gaining much admiration. This exhibition provided a profound insight by including not only his major works but also rare pieces that are difficult to access domestically.
Henry approached color not merely as a visual element but as a means to express emotions and inner resonances. His artworks achieve a harmony of intense color contrasts and organic brushstrokes, attempting to transcend the material limits of painting. Particularly, his techniques of maximizing spatial perception through the combination of light and shadow left a strong impression on the visitors.
His world of art, while influenced by Impressionism and Fauvism, evolved while maintaining its unique individuality. Although he is often compared to Marc Chagall for his emotional portrayal of colors, Henry focused on exploring the purity of color itself rather than dismantling forms. On his canvas, color breathes not just as a simple hue but as a form of life.
It was significant that this exhibition served as a major introduction of Michel Henry’s works to Korean audiences. Through his paintings, visitors could directly experience the sensory message conveyed by colors, rather than simple reproduction of forms. Notably, the Dongseong Gallery, which organized the exhibition, supplemented it with newly selected works from France, enriching the display more than the previous exhibition.
Henry’s world of art is characterized by its rich, deep hues and the strong emotional response it evokes in the viewer. This exhibition was judged as a chance to reconsider the essence of color art, rather than just a visual appreciation.
Although the exhibition has ended, the impression left by Michel Henry’s works remains strong. His unique world, where color and emotion become one, will continue to inspire and be highlighted for many people.