On view: February 19 - April 12, 2025
- Tuesday - Friday: 10 AM - 6 PM / Saturday: 11 AM - 5 PM
- It is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Venue: Atrium & Gallery at the KCCNY
- 122 East 32nd Street, New York, NY, 10016

Exploring the Boundary of Nature and Civilization

The Korean Cultural Center New York is proud to present <In Between>, an exhibition celebrating the profound artistic legacy of Choong Sup Lim (b. 1941). Lim’s work transcends the boundaries of nature and civilization, tradition and modernity, Korea and New York, illuminating the transformative potential of the liminal spaces where these realms converge.

“I do not belong anywhere.”

This statement epitomizes Lim’s identity as an artist who resists categorization, instead embracing the creative tension found in the margins. By integrating natural materials such as Hanji, wood, and stone with contemporary forms, Lim bridges dichotomies—past and present, East and West—crafting a visual language that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant.

In 1973, Lim relocated to New York, a move that marked a pivotal moment in his career. Over the decades, he has established himself as a leading presence among Korean artists in the city, shaping a distinctive practice that harmonizes Korean aesthetics with global influences. New York’s fast-paced urban environment became the catalyst for his exploration of balance and order inspired by nature, resulting in a body of work that reflects both introspection and bold innovation.

Art as a Dialogue Between Memory and Material

Born in Jincheon, a rural town in central South Korea, Lim’s early life in this agrarian landscape left an indelible mark on his artistic vision. His practice explores the interplay between his childhood memories and the urban dynamism of New York, revealing an ongoing dialogue between nostalgia and modernity.

Central to Lim’s work is the use of found objects, which serve as vessels of memory and time. His early explorations included minimalist drawings on Hanji and experimental spatial installations. In later decades, Lim incorporated found objects more actively, reimagining their histories and meanings as part of his visual narrative. His recent installations, marked by intricate craftsmanship, merge Korean sensibilities with contemporary relevance, offering a profound meditation on cultural duality and artistic reinvention.

Featured Artworks

About the Artist

Choong Sup Lim is a distinguished Korean artist celebrated for his multidisciplinary approach, which spans painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, and video art. A graduate of Seoul National University's College of Fine Arts in 1964, Lim relocated to New York in 1973. Since then, he has developed a unique artistic language that bridges Korean traditions with contemporary practices, reflecting both his rural upbringing in Jincheon and his urban experiences in New York.

Lim’s contributions to contemporary art have earned him international recognition. His works have been exhibited at prestigious institutions, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.

Lim’s academic achievements include the Max Beckmann Memorial Scholarship at the Brooklyn Museum Art School and an MFA from New York University. He has also been honored with grants from the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation’s Space Program and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Continuing to work from his New York studio, Lim embodies the spirit of an artist who navigates the thresholds of time, space, and identity. Through his visionary practice, he redefines the boundaries of contemporary art, inviting audiences to reflect on the transformative spaces where worlds converge.

Choong Sup Lim: In Between

Featured Artworks