Current exhibition
Donkeys Know Everything
30. April - 31. May 2025
“’Donkeys Know Everything’ is a series of paintings attempting to mirror or be in conversation with a donkey that I came across near the residency CCA Andratx. The animal represents patience, stillness in the vast field, and its deep eyes held many emotions — feelings of sorrow and understanding. The lonely animal in such a vast land, in many ways, is the figure that is often portrayed in my paintings: a figure in a strange, big world — embraced by the surrounding nature yet feeling so small. Trees and mountains become its companions, offering places of hiding, shelter, and refuge.
All these observations become deeper meditations after taking time to slow down and observe the small details in everything. The subtlety between the grey-blues during sunrise and the layers of trees that blanket the mountain reveal more magic the longer you stand still. That feeling is explored by literally depicting sites I walked past, directly applying thick layers of oil in my studio while the memory is vivid, while some blurry recollections are translated into abstraction that prioritizes feeling over representation.”
– Daniel Um.
– Daniel Um.
Um’s art reflects his experiences traveling and living abroad, capturing feelings of isolation and solitude through a stream-of-consciousness approach. His dreamlike and whimsical works intertwine personal memories and natural landscapes, featuring an often-elusive protagonist within dense, repetitive brushstrokes of lush, hazy nightscapes. This artistic style envelops Um’s inner emotions and personal consciousness in a sense of tranquility.
Daniel Um, was born in Seoul, South Korea in 2001, he earned his BFA from Parsons School of Design in 2024. Daniel is currently based in New York.
Further questions
Tania Asbæk
Phone: 5180 8054
tania@collaborations.dk