Baekcho百草 – meaning “one hundred plants”– is the inspiration for Yoo Keun Young’s The Odd Nature, which emerged from an encounter with his friend in the late seventies. This shared moment later sowed the seeds for one of Yoo’s most iconic series, which reimagines the natural world. Gana Art Los Angeles welcomes you to step into a peculiar forest where otherworldly trees, flowers, and foliage weave an entrancing landscape. As Yoo would start his days gazing at the Chrysanthemums that decorated the outer walls of his home, we invite you to be mesmerized by scenes of warped blossoms and misshapen branches. Yoo Keun Young is an artist born and based in Daejun. His work is deeply devoted to themes of odd or strange nature. A person of humble and reserved character, he rarely leaves his home, spending much of his time filling his large studio with art. Despite his quiet nature, his artistic world is full of vitality. Strong contrasting colors and strokes capture the eyes of the viewers. His diverse body of work reflects a gradual evolution in expression, showcasing his constant experimentation with new techniques and materials. Each piece reveals a moment in time, expressing his ever-changing emotions. A key aspect of his art is how, behind the vibrant forms and primary colors, he subtly and intricately reveals the complexities and mental state of modern people as we have shifted to an urban-centered existence, leaving behind nature’s splendor. Above all, his use of intense colors and dynamic strokes highlights his extraordinary aesthetic insight. Let your subconscious respond to Yoo’s surreal garden as you find yourself suspended between harmony and dissonance, calm and chaos.