However We Saw The Same Star – Kim Jungman

After a lapse of more than four decades, innovative gallery Kulturstiftung Basel H. Geiger in Basel, presents a retrospective of the landscape works of Korean photographer, Kim Jungman (1954-2022). 

A winner of the young artist award at the Rencontres International’s de la Photographie d’Arles in 1977, Jungman launched his career as a fashion, celebrity and culture photographer in his native land before abandoning that world in search of something else to direct his camera toward. What that shift heralded is shown in this lovely exhibit which presents approximately forty works, all black and white (which was the artist’s chosen approach throughout his varied career), including large-scale, evocative works of largely Asian landscapes which resonate with a stark and delicate beauty, shown alongside smaller pieces capturing trees, branches and birds, all printed on hanji, a special paper made from mulberries.

These beautiful photographs are presented in a space curated by Andrea Caputo which highlights the meditative beauty of these later works from an artist whose untimely death before the opening of his retrospective adds to the ‘soulfulness’ he sought to infuse in his works. 

Exhibition notes: Kim Jungman

The Kulturstiftung Basel H. Geiger | KBH.G proudly announces the highly-anticipated exhibition, However we saw the same star, dedicated to the late South Korean photographer Kim Jungman (1954 – 2022). This exceptional collection of works, running from December 1, 2023, to February 11, 2024, marks Kim Jungman’s first solo exhibition in Europe in over four decades.

Kim Jungman, renowned for his international success in fashion, advertising, and celebrity photography, underwent a profound transformation in his artistic career in 2006. He embarked on a journey from Mongolia through the Gobi Desert to China, which became a pivotal artistic turning point. This shift led him to focus intensely on nature, landscapes, the cultural identity of Korea, and various parts of Asia. However we saw the same star presents approximately 40 of his most captivating photographs created between 2006 and 2017, paying tribute to the legacy of this remarkable artist following his unexpected passing.

Kim Jungman’s commitment to the exhibition was unwavering, despite his unfortunate passing during the detailed planning phase. His son, Neo Kim, carried forth his father’s vision. The exhibition showcases images of remarkable scale and depth, with a predominant focus on Asian landscapes imbued with a meditative essence. As aptly described by Raphael Suter, Director of KBH.G, these photographs are “Masterpieces of an artist at peace.” Jungman had his first and only exhibition in Europe in the mid-1970s before receiving the Young Artist Award at the International Photography Festival “Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie d’Arles” in 1977.

The exhibition title, However we saw the same star underscores Kim Jungman’s intent. Neo Kim articulates his father’s thoughts, stating, “No matter where we are, East or West, we ultimately perceive the same. The landscapes in these photographs are observed with the same heart and emotions, irrespective of our current location or roots, whether in the East or West.” Regarding his photo series, Kim Jungman once explained himself: “If ‘Can you hear the wind blow’ is poetry, then ‘East’ is literature. If ‘Can you hear the wind blow’ represents my heart, then ‘East’ represents my world.”

Kim Jungman’s artistic journey, from commercial success to his profound connection with nature and culture, is beautifully encapsulated in this exhibition. His work reflects a profound sense of unity between East and West, offering viewers an insight not only into his photographic artistry but also into his emotional world and his sense of home.

December 1, 2023–February 11, 2024.

Kulturstiftung Basel H. Geiger / KBH.G

Spitalstrasse 18

4056 Basel – Switzerland