Dabin Ahn, a talented artist based in Chicago, has always been fascinated by how objects and materials can serve as markers of life. His work often revolves around delicate vessels, pottery shards, and taper candles, which he renders with warm wax pooling underneath small flames. These sculptural paintings, nestled in hand-crafted wooden frames, serve as luminous meditations on the passage of time and what remains as years go by.
Currently, Ahn is grappling with memories of his recently deceased father, who passed away earlier this month. Just as he was finalizing preparations for his solo show at François Ghebaly, he received a call from his brother informing him that he needed to return to Seoul to bid his father farewell. While the work in “Golden Days” reflects his grief and impending loss, it is also a reflection of his father’s life and legacy.
In deep blues and grays, Ahn’s paintings exude a meditative melancholy that stems from processing grief and loss over an extended period. Candles, fireflies, and gleaming vessels serve as beacons amidst the somber color palettes. Pieces like “Flora and Fauna II” and “Repose” feature vases fading in the background, symbolizing his late father. The textured surface of the paintings, achieved through sandpaper rubbing, adds a grainy, worn quality that enhances the emotional depth of the work.
While Ahn typically follows a meticulous “script” in creating his pieces, the works in “Golden Days” exhibit a more organic quality, allowing nature’s forces to shape the outcome. The exhibition also highlights the histories and patinas of the materials used, echoing the artist’s own actions. Ahn still feels his father’s presence and has incorporated his father’s old watches and glasses into his daily life, changing the lenses so he can wear them and feel connected to his father.
“Golden Days” is currently on view in Los Angeles until February 14, with another solo exhibition scheduled for the spring at Document in Chicago. In the meantime, you can follow Dabin Ahn on Instagram for more updates on his work. If stories and artists like this matter to you, consider becoming a Colossal Member to support independent arts publishing. By becoming a member, you can enjoy benefits such as ad-free browsing, saving your favorite articles, receiving a members-only newsletter, and giving back 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms.
