Artcube 2R2 hosts STONROK solo exhibition 'POST ICON'

The solo exhibition 'POST ICON' by artist STONROK will open on the 11th at the Artcube 2R2 (Artcube 2R2) B1 (Media Cube), accompanied by an opening reception. This exhibition, based on the artist's representative series 'Art or Not', consists of works that reinterpret the structure of images and symbols, exploring how emotions and identities are transformed into visual signs.

'POST ICON' focuses on the 'sign', remaining as an incomplete and sensory trace, rather than the 'icon' with a fixed meaning. These signs are dismantled and recombined through the artist's hands, repeated and rotated within the viewer, and newly constructed.

The works feature characters with no real names or clear backgrounds. They do not look at the camera, lack a specific narrative, and convey unrepeatable moments of emotion through the device of the 'face'. Through painterly compositions, the artist fixes pre-verbal feelings and residuals before imagery within the rectangular frame, visualizing the process in which emotion is transformed into form.

STONROK, through graphic-based painting, drawing, and object works, continuously explores communication methods with pop culture while breaking down the boundaries between street art and fine art. In particular, STONROK has steadily proposed possibilities of close exchange between art and pop culture through collaborations with various brands.

In fact, the artist has expanded his work through collaborations with popular brands such as New Era, Nike, and Musinsa, in various forms including product design, graphic patterns, and spatial installations. This time, news was also revealed about collaborating with LG Electronics on the pop-up project 'Life House Housewarming 2' and with New Era. This is seen as an attempt to expand STONROK's unique symbolic visual language beyond the exhibition space.

Especially, while 'Art or Not' interpreted visual language through humor and wit at the boundary of art and pop culture, 'POST ICON' internalizes that boundary with a quieter, denser gaze. The audience is expected to experience a reflective journey, projecting and interpreting their own emotions among the faceless characters.

Hong Ji-sook, representative of Artcube 2R2, said, "STONROK has consistently offered the possibilities of a close exchange between art and pop culture through active communication with the public and collaborations with various brands, breaking the boundaries between street art and fine art," and added, "This exhibition is especially meaningful as it seeks deeper communication with viewers through new works that encompass both painting and digital art."

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