
ⓒ Rose Wylie 2013 / Photo by Joe McGorty
Unlike athletes whose physical talent and strength are absolutely important, artists may not need to consider their age too much in their career. In fact, for artists, age may not be a hindrance but another name for experience and knowledge as their philosophical approach to and understanding of art would have matured with time. However, there is one particular individual whose age seems to matter, or at least draws much attention, every time her art is discussed. It is artist Rose Wylie, aged 86, who is actively building her career at present.

Homage to Cuban culture ⓒ Cuban Scene, Smoke, 2016 / Rose Wylie, Oil on Canvas 208 x 340cm. Photo by Soon-Hak Kwon
Let’s take a look at what she deals with.
Wylie draws inspiration from a wide spectrum of topics including famous Quentin Tarantino films such as and , Hollywood celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Nicole Kidman, football stars such as Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry, and more serious issues of environmental destruction and a small British village air-raided by the German air force during World War II.

ⓒ Rose Wylie 2017 / Photo by Joe McGorty
In 2013, at age 79, she had her works exhibited in Tate Britain and Serpentine Gallery. She won the John Moores Painting Prize in the following year. Established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir John Moores to motivate painting artists, the contemporary art award is deemed the most honorable recognition among British painters.
has dubbed Wylie as one of ‘Britain’s hottest new artists.’ David Zwirner Gallery, one of the world’s largest art galleries, signed a contract with her, and her works are going up in value day by day.

Signature piece for this exhibition ⓒ Six Hullo Girls, 2017 / Rose Wylie, Oil on Canvas 182 x 330cm
Titled , the solo exhibition exudes gaiety and warmth just like the artist herself. It is the largest solo event of its kind, featuring over 150 pieces of her original paintings as well as some that are privately-owned by art collectors.

A drawing depicting Son Heung-min’s four-goal performance for Tottenham Hotspur against Southampton ⓒ Tottenham go fifth, 2020 / Rose Wylie, Pencil and colored pencil on paper, 21 x 29.7cm. Photo by Jo Moon Price

A drawing of Son Heung-min based on an article in <The Guardian> ⓒ Scoring 4, 2020 / Rose Wylie, Pencil, colored pencil, biro, oil and collage on paper, 30 x 26cm. Photo by Jo Moon Price

Son Heung-min’s goal celebration in the Premier League ⓒ Tottenham Colors, 4 Goals, 2020 / Rose Wylie, Oil on paper and collaged canvas, 30 x 26cm. Photo by Jo Moon Price
Also featured in the exhibition are extra-large original paintings that received plaudits from curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, who had topped the list of the most influential people in the artworld. Some paintings are over 6m tall.

Red painting of life that inspires Rose Wylie ⓒ Red Painting Bird, Lemur & Elephant, 2016 / Rose Wylie, Oil on Canvas, 183 x 499cm

A portrait of Nicole Kidman at a film preview ⓒ NK (Syracuse Line Up), 2014 / Rose Wylie, Oil on Canvas, 185 x 333cm
The sixth room consists of works featuring natural elements such as animals, birds, and flowers that have inspired her. What’s interesting is Wylie sketched them in a size that fits her imagination. The final seventh room is dedicated to her self-portrait as well as paintings of girls and women. Having put a halt on her artist career after marriage and childbirth, Wylie tends to describe women in their most confident forms. She expresses her solidarity with and support of the female community through her paintings.
There is one extra space, separate from the official exhibition hall. It is a replica of Rose Wylie’s atelier in Kent, England, captured by photographer Kwon Soon-hak. Standing in front of the little room, you can easily imagine a 86-year-young girl covered in paint staring at her painting.

A painting from the ‘Scissor Girl’ series ⓒ Scissor Girl, 2017 / Rose Wylie, Oil on Canvas, 183 x 330cm
Location Seoul Arts Center Hangaram Art Museum
Duration Until March 28, 2021 (Closed every Mondays)
Hours 10:00-19:00
Inquiry +82-2-733-2798



Address LOTTE WORLD Tower 76F-101F, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Inquiry +82-2-3213-1000
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