A deeply moving exhibition honoring the life and work of Hyeja Kim/Schäfer (1955–2023), South Korean-born sculptor and painter, is now open to the public at the Gebauer Gallery in Pécs. On display until 19 July, the show features never-before-seen pieces that explore the delicate balance between inner peace and emotional unrest through unique material combinations and symbolic imagery.
Titled Aus einem lautlosen Ort (“From a soundless place”), the exhibition evokes the serenity of the ocean’s depths, where silence reigns. Using a mix of iron, steel, cement, lime, and canvas, Hyeja’s works reflect her search for calm amid the chaos of modern civilization. The exhibit includes pastel panels inspired by marine life, 6 intense black drawings conveying pain and fear, and 27 black-and-white works created after a transformative encounter with an African artist in New York.
The exhibition was made possible by Dr. Soo Young Park, Hyeja’s lifelong friend and a professor at Hankuk University and guest lecturer at the University of Pécs. “Europe was her island of peace,” Dr. Park shared, recalling how the artist sought refuge from South Korea’s rapid societal changes to focus on her art.
Organized with the support of the University of Pécs, the exhibition not only preserves Hyeja’s legacy but opens a quiet dialogue between continents, cultures, and emotions. Most of the works were gifted to Dr. Park’s daughter, marking the first time they are seen by the public.
Visitors can explore this rare collection in the Gebauer Gallery at the Civil Közösségek Háza until mid-July. The future of the collection remains uncertain, making this exhibition a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Source: University of Pécs
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