“1966 and the Light in LA.” Unexpected Light: Works by Young-Il Ahn, exhibition catalogue, Baik Art (2017)
‍

Christine Kim wrote the text “1966 and the Light in LA” for the show Unexpected Light: Works by Young-Il Ahn, LACMA, Baik Art Gallery (2017). This exhibition marks the first-ever introduction of a Korean-American artist at LACMA, highlighting the ever expanding diversity and realities within the ethnic Korean population in Los Angeles.

Young Il Ahn was born in 1934 in Gaeseong, historically known as the capital of the Goryeo dynasty (912–1392) and geographically located in North Korea today. While acknowledged as a child prodigy, Ahn carried out his most prolific work in Los Angeles since his arrival in the U.S. in 1966. Since then, Ahn’s works have consistently focused on his interest in the local surroundings rather than the country he left. This exhibition showcases many works from his best-known series, Water, which was inspired by a near-death incident on the Pacific Ocean in 1983, as well as his most recent works. The Water series marks a notable shift in Ahn’s style from semi abstraction to complete abstraction, which has continued to define his style to this day.

‍

Related:

“1966 and the Light in LA.” Unexpected Light: Works by Young-Il Ahn, LACMA, Baik Art Gallery (2017)
LACMA, Baik Art Gallery

Home
About
Exhibitions
Essays
Press
CV

‍Christine Y. Kim © 2026. Site Credit: Common Space