2026 AHL-T&W Foundation Contemporary Visual Art Awards Exhibition

Juried by Sara Sunjean Han, Victoria Sung, and Ian Wallace

Curated by Sarah Sunjean Han

• Featuring: Gi (Ginny) Huo, Jaewook Lee, and Sangwoo Yoo
• Exhibition Dates: October 31 2026 – November 27, 2026
• Opening Reception: Saturday, October 31 2026, 6PM-8PM
• Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM
• Venue: AHL Foundation Gallery, 2605 Frederick Douglass Blvd. #C1, New York, NY 10030

View the digital version of the exhibition catalog

 

Curatorial Statement

Our relationship with reality is tenuous, shaped by systems of belief and the limits of our own perception. As we attempt to make sense of existence, we continually negotiate the boundaries between the natural and the constructed, the material and the metaphysical, the known and the unknowable. This year’s AHL Foundation Visual Art Award winners Sangwoo Yoo, Ginny Huo, and Jaewook Lee consider these shifting thresholds through their practices which explore the fragile balance between humanity and the world we seek to comprehend. As we shed the skins of our past, are we moving toward an earthly Eden or toward a future of our own making that we can no longer control?

Sangwoo Yoo grounds the exhibition in the material world, examining the earth as a living network shaped by cycles of growth, decay, and renewal. Informed by his background in archaeology, Yoo approaches objects as vessels of accumulated time, tracing how matter holds memory while remaining subject to continual transformation. Through processes of gathering, deconstructing, and dissolving, his work considers the relationship between human intervention and the natural forces that ultimately exceed it. In this sense, Yoo’s practice offers a meditation on impermanence: the recognition that neither objects nor the schemas we build around them are fixed. His work invites viewers to slow down and reconsider humanity’s place within a larger ecological cycle, where creation and destruction are not opposing forces but interconnected conditions of existence.

Ginny Huo examines the methods through which we attempt to make sense of existence, asking how belief, history, and inherited narratives shape our understanding of truth. Drawing on her Korean heritage, Mormon upbringing, and the geopolitical division between North and South Korea, Huo explores the unstable boundaries between faith and knowledge, conflict and coexistence, and perception and truth. Working across sculpture, drawing, photography, and text, she incorporates images and narratives into hand-bent steel structures that evoke both natural formations and human-made frameworks. Her fragmented compositions resist a singular interpretation, revealing how the structures that give us a sense of order can also produce contradiction and division. Within the exhibition’s broader inquiry, Huo’s work positions humanity as both the maker and the subject of its own systems—continually constructing meaning while struggling to reconcile competing versions of reality.

Jaewook Lee turns toward the virtual and speculative realms we create in our pursuit of enlightenment. Through experimental video games and digitally constructed environments, Lee examines how technology arbitrates our experience of reality, transforming abstract ideas into worlds we can inhabit but never fully control. His work complicates the promise of technological progress, questioning whether increasingly sophisticated tools will bring us closer to understanding existence or further entangle us in a maze of our own making. As artificial intelligence blurs the boundaries between human and machine, Lee’s practice opens onto an uncertain future in which the possibility of transcendence exists alongside the threat of losing our bearings. Rather than presenting technology as either salvation or catastrophe, he asks us to consider what kind of world we are bringing into being—and whether we can anticipate the consequences of its creation.

In their distinct ways, Yoo, Huo, and Lee act as mediators between the visible and the unknowable, inviting viewers to encounter questions that resist definitive answers. Their works do not resolve the tensions between nature and culture, belief and evidence, or human agency and technological autonomy. Instead, they create spaces in which these tensions can be examined and reimagined. As we continue to remake the world and develop systems that increasingly challenge our ability to comprehend them, their practices ask what it means to participate in this ongoing cycle—and whether we can envision a different way forward.

 

Sarah Sunjean Han | Director, Harper’s, New York

Sarah Sunjean Han (b. Lansing, MI) is a Brooklyn-based Korean American gallery director and arts professional with over a decade of experience across the nonprofit and commercial art sectors. She began her career working with Dustin Yellin’s studio and Pioneer Works before joining Martos Gallery as Assistant Director.

Han has organized and participated in panels and public programs with Ludlow House, Harper’s, Martos Gallery, MAD54, The Here & There Co., and STILLLLIFE. She is a visiting critic for the Canopy Program at NYC Crit Club and has curated exhibitions in New York and Seoul.

Han is a co-founder and board member of Civil Art, a nonprofit organization established with Scroll NYC founder Rachel Ng and artist Ho Jae Kim. In this capacity, she has served as a curatorial advisor for key fundraising exhibitions including At the Table, presented with Christie’s New York, and And the Moon Be Still as Bright, hosted at Harper’s New York.

She is currently a Director at Harper’s New York, where she focuses on artist relations, programming, and collector development. Since joining the gallery in 2020, she has contributed to the gallery’s growing exhibition program and international presence, working with artists and collectors across the United States and Asia.

 

About the AHL-T&W Foundation Contemporary Visual Art Awards 

Established in 2003, the Contemporary Visual Art Awards is an annual competition open to all contemporary artists of Korean descent active in the United States and is part of AHL Foundation’s core program. The awards recognize the work of exemplary young emerging contemporary artists of Korean descent and provide them with a monetary prize and the opportunity to have their work presented at a group exhibition in New York. Since 2016, the award has been generously supported by the T&W Foundation, established by Wonsook Kim and Thomas Park Clement.

 

About Artists

Gi (Ginny) Huo is an artist and educator thinking on the legacies of religious systems and its geopolitical impact. Huo works across mediums in sculpture, video, artists books, drawing, photography, and printmaking and has exhibited in places such as Hesse Flatow Gallery, DOOSAN Gallery (Seoul), Princeton University, Miriam Gallery, SK Gallery, CANADA Gallery, The Drawing Center, Socrates Sculpture Park, Baxter St CCNY, Franconia Sculpture Park and The Smithsonian Archives of American Art. 

Huo has been awarded residencies and fellowships such as the MacDowell Fellowship, ISCP Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Residency, Princeton Arts Fellowship, Here and There THAT Residency, Center for Photography – Woodstock, Robert Blackburn Printshop SIP Fellowship, Smack Mellon, and Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

Jaewook Lee is a new media artist-scholar and the founder and creative director of Jaewook Lee Studio, an independent art-game studio developing experimental games, playable artworks, and immersive media. Working with game engines, artificial intelligence, environmental simulation, and interactive systems, Lee approaches play as a critical artistic method for examining ecological, cultural, and social questions.

His solo exhibitions include the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei. His work has been presented at international exhibitions and festivals including the CURRENTS Art + Technology Festival, the New Media Caucus Symposium Exhibition, the Royal College of Art’s Immersive Acts Symposium, and Duke University. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art and the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts.

Lee’s scholarly work includes publication in Leonardo, the MIT Press journal of art, science, and technology. He is currently developing The Future of Art Is Playable, a book manuscript examining video games and playable systems as emerging forms of contemporary art. He received a BFA from Korea National University of Arts and MFAs from Carnegie Mellon University and the School of Visual Arts. He is currently Associate Professor of New Media Art at Northern Arizona University.

Sangwoo Yoo is a Chicago-based artist whose sculptures and installations investigate ephemerality, material memory, and ecological cycles. He holds an MFA in Sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA in Environmental Sculpture from the University of Seoul. Yoo has been awarded fellowships and residencies at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Watermill Center, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, MASS MoCA, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Loghaven, The Luminary, and Vermont Studio Center. His honors include Liu Shiming Artist Grants, Breakout Artist by Newcity (Chicago), Kumho Young Artist Award, Eldon Danhausen Fellowship, Creative Young Artists Award from Kimchongyung Museum, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts Award, and Grand Prize at Hoguk Art Exhibition. His work has been exhibited at Kumho Museum of Art, Hyde Park Art Center, Comfort Station, 6018 North, Chicago Artists Coalition, Bridgeport Art Center, and United Nations Peace Memorial Hall.

 

This exhibition is supported in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the New York City Council, and the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) Arts Fund. AHL Foundation’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

 

About AHL Foundation

Founded in 2003, the AHL Foundation is a New York–based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Korean and Korean American artists through exhibitions, awards, fellowships, and educational programs. By fostering cross-cultural dialogue and increasing the visibility of immigrant and diaspora artists, AHL Foundation continues to strengthen the presence of Korean contemporary art in the United States.

 

[국문]

알재단, 2026년 AHL-T&W Foundation 현대미술상 수상 작가전 개최

• 전시 기간: 2026년 10월 31일-11월 27일
• 갤러리 운영 시간: 화–토 오전 10시–오후 5시
• 장소: 알재단 갤러리(2605 Frederick Douglass Blvd. #C1, New York, NY 10030)
• 기획: 사라 선진 한(Sarah Sunjean Han)
• 참여 작가: 허지은(Gi Ginny Huo), 이재욱(Jaewook Lee), 유상우(Sangwoo Yoo)
• 오프닝 리셉션: 10월 31일 토요일 저녁 6시부터 8시

비영리 한인 미술인 지원 단체 알재단(AHL Foundation, 대표 이숙녀)이 2026년도 AHL-T&W Foundation 현대미술상 수상 작가전을 오는 10월 알재단 갤러리(2605 Frederick Douglass Blvd. #C1, New York, NY 10030)에서 개최한다. 본 전시는 사라 선진 한(Sarah Sunjean Han)이 기획했으며, 올해 AHL-T&W Foundation 현대미술상 수상자로 선정된 허지은(Gi Ginny Huo), 이재욱(Jaewook Lee), 유상우(Sangwoo Yoo) 세 작가의 작품을 선보인다. 조각, 영상, 사진, 설치, 뉴미디어 등 다양한 매체를 아우르는 이번 전시는 동시대 예술의 폭넓은 가능성과 각 작가의 고유한 예술적 탐구를 소개한다.

세 작가는 서로 다른 매체와 접근 방식을 통해 이미지와 기술, 인간의 경험, 물질과 기억의 관계를 탐구한다. 허지은은 조각과 영상, 드로잉, 사진, 판화 등 다양한 매체를 활용해 시각적 경험과 표현의 가능성을 확장한다. 뉴미디어 작가이자 연구자인 이재욱은 예술과 게임, 기술의 접점을 탐구하며 관객 참여와 상호작용을 바탕으로 새로운 예술적 경험을 제안한다. 유상우는 조각과 설치 작업을 통해 물질의 기억과 일시성, 생태적 순환을 살피며 인간과 환경의 관계를 탐색한다. 각기 다른 예술적 실천을 펼치는 세 작가의 작업은 오늘날 예술이 세계를 인식하고 경험하는 방식을 어떻게 새롭게 구성할 수 있는지 보여준다.

이번 전시를 기획한 사라 선전 한은 뉴욕과 서울을 오가며 전시 기획과 예술 기관 운영, 작가 지원 및 국제적 예술 교류에 참여해 온 큐레이터이다. 현재 뉴욕의 하퍼스(Harper’s) 디렉터로 활동하며 전시 프로그램과 작가 및 컬렉터와의 관계 구축을 이끌고 있다. 10년 이상의 비영리 및 상업 미술 분야 경력을 바탕으로 다양한 전시와 공공 프로그램을 기획해 왔다.

“많은 재능 있는 지원자 가운데 신중한 심사를 거쳐 선정된 세 명의 뛰어난 작가들과 함께 알재단 갤러리에서 전시를 개최하게 되어 매우 기쁩니다. 이번 전시가 수상 작가들의 예술적 여정을 확장하고, 미국 미술계에서 한국계 작가들의 다양한 예술적 실천과 목소리를 널리 소개하는 계기가 되기를 바랍니다.”라고 이숙녀 알재단 대표는 전시 개최 소감을 밝혔다.

한편, 알재단의 설립과 함께 시작된 현대미술상은 2003년 창설 이래 미국에서 활동하는 한국계 미술인에게 작품 발표와 전문적 성장을 위한 기회를 제공해 온 알재단의 주요 프로그램 중 하나이다. 2016년부터는 중견 화가이자 문화 후원가인 김원숙과 토마스 클레멘트(Thomas Park Clement)가 설립한 T&W Foundation의 후원으로 운영되고 있다.

참여 작가

허지은(Gi Ginny Huo)는 조각, 영상, 아티스트 북, 드로잉, 사진, 판화 등 다양한 매체를 활용하는 작가이자 교육자이다. 그의 작품은 헤세 플랫토 갤러리(Hesse Flatow Gallery), 두산갤러리 서울, 프린스턴 대학교, 미리엄 갤러리(Miriam Gallery), SK 갤러리, 캐나다 갤러리(CANADA Gallery), 드로잉 센터(The Drawing Center), 소크라테스 조각 공원(Socrates Sculpture Park), 백스터 스트리트 CCNY(Baxter St at the Camera Club of New York), 프랑코니아 조각 공원(Franconia Sculpture Park), 스미스소니언 미국미술 아카이브(Smithsonian Archives of American Art) 등에서 소개되었다. 맥도웰(MacDowell), ISCP 헬렌 프랑켄탈러 재단 레지던시, 프린스턴 아트 펠로십, 히어 앤 데어 댓 레지던시(Here and There THAT Residency), 우드스톡 사진 센터(Center for Photography Woodstock), 로버트 블랙번 판화 공방 펠로십(Robert Blackburn Printshop SIP Fellowship), 스맥 멜런(Smack Mellon), 스코히건(Skowhegan) 등 다양한 레지던시와 펠로십에 선정되었다.

이재욱(Jaewook Lee)은 뉴미디어 아티스트이자 연구자로, 예술과 게임의 접점을 탐구하는 아트 게임 스튜디오의 창립자이자 크리에이티브 디렉터로 활동하고 있다. 대만 타이베이 현대미술관(Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei)에서 개인전을 개최했으며, 커렌츠 아트 앤 테크놀로지 페스티벌(CURRENTS Art + Technology Festival), 뉴미디어 코커스 심포지엄 전시(New Media Caucus Symposium Exhibition), 영국 왕립예술대학(Royal College of Art)의 이머시브 액츠 심포지엄(Immersive Acts Symposium), 듀크대학교 등에서 작품을 선보였다. 그의 작품은 경기도미술관과 요르단 국립미술관(Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts) 소장품에 포함되어 있으며, 학술지 Leonardo에 글을 발표하고 저서 The Future of Art Is Playable을 집필했다. 한국예술종합학교에서 학사학위를, 카네기멜런대학교와 뉴욕 School of Visual Arts에서 각각 석사학위를 취득했다. 현재 노던애리조나대학교(Northern Arizona University) 뉴미디어 아트 부교수로 재직하고 있다.

유상우(Sangwoo Yoo)는 시카고를 기반으로 활동하는 조각가이자 설치 작가로, 일시성, 물질에 축적된 기억, 생태적 순환을 탐구한다. 그의 작업은 조각과 설치를 통해 물질과 환경의 관계를 살피며, 변화와 소멸의 과정에서 드러나는 다양한 층위를 탐색한다. 시카고 예술대학(School of the Art Institute of Chicago)에서 조각 전공 석사학위를, 서울시립대학교에서 환경조각 전공 학사학위를 취득했다. 베미스 현대미술센터(Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts), 워터밀 센터(Watermill Center), 밴프 센터(Banff Centre), 매스 모카(MASS MoCA), 앤더슨 랜치(Anderson Ranch), 로그헤이븐(Loghaven), 더 루미너리(The Luminary), 버몬트 스튜디오 센터(Vermont Studio Center) 등에서 레지던시에 참여했다. 리우시밍 아티스트 그랜트(Liu Shiming Artist Grants), 뉴시티(Newcity) 선정 브레이크아웃 아티스트, 금호영아티스트상, 엘던 단하우젠 펠로십(Eldon Danhausen Fellowship), 김종영미술관 창작지원 작가상, 킴멜 하딩 넬슨 센터 어워드(Kimmel Harding Nelson Center Award), 호국미술대전 대상 등을 수상했다. 금호미술관, 하이드 파크 아트센터(Hyde Park Art Center), 컴포트 스테이션(Comfort Station), 6018노스(6018 North), 시카고 아티스트 콜리션(Chicago Artists Coalition), 브리지포트 아트센터(Bridgeport Art Center), 유엔평화기념관 등에서 작품을 선보였다.

큐레이터 소개

사라 선진 한(Sarah Sunjean Han)은 뉴욕 브루클린을 기반으로 활동하는 한국계 미국인 갤러리 디렉터이자 예술 전문가로, 비영리 및 상업 미술 분야에서 10년 이상의 경력을 쌓아 왔다. 더스틴 옐린(Dustin Yellin)의 스튜디오와 파이오니어 웍스(Pioneer Works)에서 경력을 시작했으며, 이후 마르토스 갤러리(Martos Gallery)에서 부디렉터를 역임했다. 루들로 하우스(Ludlow House), 하퍼스(Harper’s), 마르토스 갤러리, MAD54, 히어 앤 데어 컴퍼니(The Here & There Co.), 스틸라이프(STILLLLIFE) 등에서 패널 및 공공 프로그램에 참여했으며, 뉴욕과 서울에서 전시를 기획해 왔다. 또한 스크롤 NYC의 설립자 레이철 응(Rachel Ng), 작가 김호재(Ho Jae Kim)와 함께 시빌 아트(Civil Art)를 공동 설립하고 이사로 활동하고 있다. 크리스티 뉴욕(Christie’s New York)과 함께한 기금 마련 전시 At the Table, 하퍼스 뉴욕에서 열린 And the Moon Be Still as Bright의 큐레토리얼 자문을 맡기도 했다. 2020년 하퍼스에 합류한 이후 현재 뉴욕 디렉터로서 전시 프로그램의 확장과 국제적 활동을 이끌고 있다.