There Between Light and Shadow: Youree Kim + Alex Belardo Kostiw

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Chicago Artists Coalition proudly presents There Between Light and Shadow, a two-person exhibition by 2023-24 HATCH Residents Youree Kim and Alex Belardo Kostiw, curated by Yiwei Leo Wang.

There Between Light and Shadow is a duo exhibition exploring the interplay between history, memory, and identity through the complementary works of Youree Kim and Alex B. Kostiw. Both artists delve into the spaces in between—whether physical, temporal, or conceptual—to challenge conventional narratives and reveal unseen forces shaping our world.

Youree Kim’s work navigates the historical implications of “red line,” a term with roots in political and economic tactics, but one that extends into various facets of marginalization. By rooting in the socio-political landscape of transnational history, Kim examines how borders, both literal and metaphorical, influence identity and community. By juxtaposing visual elements from different cultures and time periods, Kim invites viewers to reflect on the intersecting narratives of oppression and resilience. Kim speaks to the enduring impact of historical events on contemporary urban landscapes from local to global territories.

Alex B. Kostiw’s practice navigates the personal and the ethereal, focusing on the ephemeral nature of time and existence. Through text, paper and ceramic sculpture, and cyanotypes, Kostiw’s work contemplates the transience and fluidity of stories. Her interactive installations evoke a dreamlike state, where reality blurs with myth, and the viewer is left to ponder the stories that unfold beneath consciousness. Kostiw used mythological and natural imagery to question what it means to belong to, to be in, a moment. By engaging with ancient and personal narratives, Kostiw crafts a world where the past and present converge, inviting viewers to explore their place in shifting landscapes.

Together, Kim and Kostiw create a dialogue between the political and poetic, historical and personal. Their works explore how stories—both individual and collective—are constructed, deconstructed, remembered, and reimagined, inviting viewers to traverse the liminal spaces defining human experience.
 

- Yiwei Leo Wang

The opening reception will be on September 6 from 5-8pm.

Image: Alex Belardo Kostiw (left) and Youree Kim (right)