Persona Parade
Korean Artists Group Exhibition
Neverland Gallery × Gallery Aile
2026.10.24 — 11.15
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"Persona" originates from the Latin term for the masks worn by actors in classical theater. Later, psychologist Carl Jung expanded the concept to define the "social mask"—the face we present to the world to adapt to society. In an era where everyone is accustomed to managing their expressions and curating their image, a mask is not merely a concealment; it is a form of protection, a language, and a gateway to the inner self.
Neverland Gallery and Seoul's Gallery Aile join forces to present "Persona Parade," featuring four Korean artists: Han Seunghun, Park Nina, Yang Eunbong, and Woo Ga. Each artist creates highly recognizable character personas. These seemingly cute, gentle, and innocent faces carry the complex, often inexpressible emotions of contemporary individuals. As these faces proceed into the exhibition space, a parade exploring the relationship between the surface and the internal begins.
The characters in Han Seunghun's work possess doll-like, exquisite faces and hollow gazes. They remain quiet and composed, yet their subtle postures reveal unresolved thoughts and a sense of emptiness. The artist does not rush to uncover or resolve this complexity, instead allowing the viewer to encounter the parts of themselves they have yet to notice through the silent gaze of the figures.
Park Nina takes happy childhood memories as her starting point, constructing a fairy-tale world where reality and fantasy blend within soft pastel tones. Cakes, teddy bears, and spirits form a sweet surface, beneath which lies the artist's firm belief in beauty and joy—recalling the warmest moments deep within for those worn down by daily life.
Yang Eunbong draws inspiration from voodoo dolls in novels and films to create the character "VOO." This stitched-up, pierced little doll is not the one inflicting pain, but the one silently enduring it. The "SMILE" signs held up in the paintings represent the masks society demands we wear; through a blend of humor and eeriness, Yang makes vulnerability, loneliness, and empathy visible.
Woo Ga likens inner confusion to wandering through a deep forest. Using oil pastels to layer flowers, plants, and light, the boys and girls in her paintings represent those of us who "look like adults but remain children at heart." Her delicate brushstrokes document the time spent exploring the self, while gently accompanying the viewer toward the next stage of their journey.
The four artists each possess a distinct vocabulary: one silent, one sweet, one dark, and one gentle. Placed together, they reveal the duality of the persona—the mask is both the way we negotiate with the world and the final barrier protecting the inner child. These cute forms are not a means of escape, but a strategy to make heavy themes approachable: precisely because they are light, viewers are willing to draw near; and precisely because they draw near, they can see the truth hidden behind the smiles.
We cordially invite you to walk into this parade of personas and recognize yourself in the faces of others.
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