Korean-American artist Danym Kwon has opened a new exhibition that transforms ordinary family moments into profound artistic statements. Her latest show, "Dear Moments," currently on display at Hashimoto Contemporary in New York through August 30, features tender, pastel-hued paintings and sculptures that celebrate the beauty found in everyday domestic life.
Kwon's artistic journey reflects her personal experience with the concept of home as something fluid and ever-changing. The artist recently relocated to San Jose from her native Seoul, having spent only a few years back in South Korea before realizing she longed to return to the Bay Area where she lived while raising her children. "I may never have had a place to stay forever. But wherever we were together became a home," Kwon explains about her move and the artistic works that emerged from this transitional experience.
The exhibition showcases Kwon's signature artistic approach of finding magic in mundane moments. Her paintings feature intimate family scenes tucked within stacks of laundry, including small vignettes of siblings playing in beach sand, couples wandering through art museums, and parents snuggled in bed reading to their children. These domestic scenes, which might seem ordinary at first glance, become magical and revered under Kwon's artistic interpretation.
Kwon's artistic vessels serve as another medium for her storytelling, depicting scenes such as a woman strolling along a candy-colored path or a young boy playing with blocks and toy cars. Her use of acrylic gouache on canvas creates soft, dreamlike quality that enhances the tender nature of these family moments. The artist beckons viewers into a world where even routine chores like folding clean clothes offer opportunities for reflection and calm.
For this exhibition, Kwon has expanded her artistic practice beyond her usual canvas work to include three-dimensional birch plywood sculptures. These sculptural pieces take the beloved characters commonly found in her paintings and present them in three dimensions, adding a new layer of intimacy to her artistic narrative. Works like "Looking together" (2025) and "Sunday" (2025) demonstrate this sculptural approach, measuring 9 1/4 x 7 1/4 x 1 1/8 inches and 12 1/2 x 21 3/4 x 1 1/8 inches respectively.
The exhibition features several notable pieces that exemplify Kwon's artistic vision. The centerpiece work, "Dear Moments" (2025), is an expansive acrylic gouache on canvas measuring 51 1/4 x 114 1/2 inches. Other significant works include "A Message of Comfort" (2025), presented in a cherry wood foldable frame, and "A Still Life of You" (2025), measuring 35 3/4 x 28 5/8 inches. "Little Readers Nest" (2025) showcases her work on paper within a cherry wood frame.
Kwon's artistic philosophy centers on the idea that simple moments, while often overlooked in daily life, deserve to be treasured and preserved. "These works are my way of holding onto that—of cherishing the moments that pass too quickly," she states. Through her art, she suggests that viewers should value the small embraces and quiet acts of togetherness that ultimately create the feeling of home.
The exhibition demonstrates how seemingly mundane familial scenes can be transformed into something magical through artistic interpretation. Kwon's work invites viewers to reconsider their own daily experiences and find beauty in the ordinary moments that often pass unnoticed. Her art serves as a reminder that home is not necessarily a physical place, but rather the collection of moments and relationships that provide comfort and connection.
