Sarah Crown presents: The Untamed Brush

SARAHCROWN is pleased to announce The Untamed Brush, a group exhibition featuring self-taught and outsider artists DongYub Cha, Kyungdu Kim, Isak Lim from South Korea and David Syre from the Pacific Northwest. Curated in collaboration with Museum VERSI in Seoul, South Korea, the exhibition will open on February 7, 2025, with a reception from 6–8 PM. It will run through March 8, 2025, concurrently with the Outsider Art Fair (February 27–March 2, 2025), underscoring SARAHCROWN’s dedication to promoting self-taught artists on an international stage.

The exhibition’s title, The Untamed Brush, symbolizes the raw, expressive power of artistic creation without boundaries—a theme that runs through all the works on display. From bustling cityscapes to meditative abstractions and surreal dreamscapes, the exhibition captures the essence of artistic freedom and its ability to reshape how we see the world.

DongYub Cha (b. 2005) works can be described as vibrant, dynamic, and deeply rooted in the storytelling of urban life. He employs bold, saturated colors and strong, definitive outlines, creating a visual language that is both playful and engaging. Using marker pens as his medium, Cha achieves a unique aesthetic that bridges the gap between realism and a more illustrative, almost cartoon-like approach.

Isak Lim (b. 2004) monochromatic pen, pencil, and charcoal drawings are defined by a surreal narrative style that blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination. Through layered compositions, Lim invites viewers into fragmented, dreamlike worlds where the mundane transforms into the mysterious. Each piece unfolds like a visual diary, encouraging viewers to decipher cryptic stories hidden within intricate arrangements of objects, figures, and spaces.

Kyungdu Kim (b. 1989) artistic style is defined by intricate, meticulous patterns that feel simultaneously mechanical and handmade. Working primarily with pencil on paper, Kim explores a balance between order and chaos, creating densely detailed compositions that are organized into tall, column-like structures, resembling humanoid or totemic figures. His works often feature repeated geometric motifs, layered in a way that suggests both symmetry and organic growth, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the labyrinthine quality of his designs.

The repetitive elements and sharp, angular forms suggest influences from traditional textiles, industrial design, or even wiring diagrams. Despite their abstract nature, his works carry an emotional intensity, as if each line and shape were painstakingly imbued with meaning and intention.

David Syre (b. 1940) brings a deeply intuitive approach to his art, channeling personal experiences and subconscious imagery into dynamic, colorful compositions. Syre’s art bridges abstraction and symbolism, offering a meditative exploration of inner landscapes. While his signature drawings on black paper feature quick and powerful gestures, referencing recurring themes like the universe, landscapes, architecture, and totems, his paintings involve bold, fast-paced lines and brushstrokes, and intricate, multi-layered compositions of vivid colors.

Syre’s art is deeply personal, shaped by his life experiences, spiritual explorations, and a relentless drive to create. Through his untamed brushstrokes and fearless embrace of spontaneity, he offers a profound glimpse into his inner world while inviting others to connect with their own.

Website link: https://www.sarahcrown.com/exhibitions/theuntamedbrush

Gallery Info:
SARAHCROWN
373 Broadway, 2nd fl. (dial 215)
New York NY 10013
info@sarahcrown.com
www.sarahcrown.com