Ontology of Color - Exhibition Catalogue

Ontology of Color marks the inaugural publishing project of Art Plus Agency (APA), presenting a comprehensive artistic and archival record of the practice of Korean artist HAN Hongsu. Conceived as both an exhibition catalogue and an independent archival publication, the project goes beyond documenting a single exhibition to provide an in-depth reflection on the artist’s longstanding investigation into color, materiality, perception, memory, and philosophical thought.

Rooted in HAN Hongsu’s sustained engagement with painting and material-based practice, Ontology of Color examines color not simply as a visual or formal element, but as an essential language through which existence, emotion, nature, and human experience can be explored. The publication brings together the artist’s works, writings, exhibition documentation, and critical perspectives, creating a multilayered narrative that traces the development of his artistic philosophy and practice.

The publication also reflects APA’s broader commitment to developing projects that connect artistic practice, curatorial research, publishing, and cultural archiving. By carefully documenting the artist’s works and ideas within their historical and cultural context, the project aims to preserve not only visual records, but also the intellectual and creative processes underlying the work.

As APA’s first publishing initiative, HAN Hongsu: Ontology of Color establishes an important foundation for the agency’s ongoing work in artist representation, exhibition development, research, and art publishing. The project demonstrates APA’s approach to creating lasting cultural records that extend beyond the duration of an exhibition and contribute to the broader discourse surrounding contemporary art.

Through this publication, APA seeks to create a meaningful bridge between the artist, curators, researchers, institutions, collectors, and audiences, allowing HAN Hongsu’s artistic journey and ideas to be encountered beyond the physical exhibition space. Ontology of Color therefore functions not only as a catalogue of artworks, but as a long-term cultural and scholarly resource that preserves the artist’s practice for future generations.

The project represents APA’s vision of publishing as an integral part of contemporary art practice—an opportunity to document, interpret, preserve, and expand the significance of an artist’s work through carefully considered editorial and curatorial research.