The Sylvia Wald & Po Kim Art Gallery is pleased to announce the exhibition Po Kim: Abstraction Beyond Borders, 1955-1970, from Friday March 11 to Saturday May 14, 2016. This is the first major U.S. exhibition in several years to focus on the early Abstract Expressionist work of the renowned Korean-American artist, Po Kim (1917-2014).

Po Kim emigrated to the U.S. from Korea in 1955, eventually moving to New York, where he became immersed in Abstract Expressionism. There, he developed a highly personal and nuanced style of abstraction indebted to the movement, while maintaining discernible connections to his Korean cultural heritage. As one of the earliest and most impactful Korean-American Abstract Expressionists, and as one of the few Asian artists showing in New York at that time, Kim's early work epitomizes the movement's multiculturalism.

Abstract Expressionism, often characterized as the first truly “American” school of art, can also be seen as a reflection of the cultural melting pot of Post-War America. “The movement was much more international than is generally understood, and it was a crucible of creativity for many international artists,” says Dr. Marshall N. Price, curator of the exhibition. “Po Kim’s long career provides an illuminating look at the transcultural nature of mid-century abstraction in the United States.”

“We are delighted to present this exhibition which examines the cross-cultural influences found in Po Kim’s early Abstract Expressionist work,” says Young Cho, President of the Sylvia Wald & Po Kim Art Gallery. “It epitomizes the foundation’s intercultural focus and provides a perfect launch for our extensive plans to expand the gallery’s activities and programming.”

Po Kim: Abstraction Beyond Borders, 1955-1970 presents more than 30 paintings and works on paper by the Korean-American master and will be on view at The Sylvia Wald & Po Kim Art Gallery, 417 Lafayette Street 4th Floor, NYC, until May 14, 2016. The exhibition has been curated by Dr. Marshall N. Price, Nancy Hanks Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.