Pastel Artworks Portray Daily Life with Subtle Gentleness
For individuals residing across multiple nations, the idea of “home” becomes quite fluid. This holds true for [Danym Kwon](https://www.danymkwon.com/). After spending over ten years in California, the Korean-American artist returned to her original Seoul in 2022, only to discover just how profoundly the Bay Area had influenced her understanding of place and belonging. In her latest solo show, Kwon delves into these emotions through serene, contemplative paintings that embody the essence of “home.”
Currently exhibited at [Hashimoto Contemporary](https://www.hashimotocontemporary.com/), [*Dear Moments*](https://www.hashimotocontemporary.com/exhibitions/298-danym-kwon-dear-moments/) showcases several of Kwon’s recent creations, which range from classic paintings to birch plywood cutouts. Each piece radiates warmth, featuring gentle brushwork, soft color palettes, and solid backgrounds that impart an illustrative, graphic quality. Kwon’s themes are equally personal, portraying sleeping children, organized clothing stacks, strolls in the park, and leisurely bike rides. It is evident that, for Kwon, a “dear moment” is simply one fully experienced, regardless of its seemingly ordinary and routine nature.
Central to *Dear Moments* is a sizable triptych of the same title, illustrating a pile of laundry. Within the folds of these sweaters, shirts, and blouses lie numerous domestic vignettes, providing a peek into a realm that is both private and universal. In this portrayal, children engage with toy trains and spray a garden hose across a field; a woman is peacefully immersed in her book, nestled in a cozy lounge chair; a couple enjoys fishing by a riverbank, explores an art museum, and feeds swans along the waterside. These depictions are additive, layering upon one another like the heaps of laundry, each as comforting and familiar as the last. Seasons transition, children mature, and yet we hold tightly to the memories of these instances, akin to a cherished garment.
Other works are more focused, encapsulating a singular moment rather than a complete narrative. *Little Reader’s Nest*, for example, features a child curled up in what appears to be a wicker laundry basket, a book laid open on his lap. Notably, Kwon positions this child on the far-left of the canvas, allowing a generous amount of space, while choosing a minimal background. These compositional choices remove excessive detail from the painting, enabling viewers to project their own experiences and memories onto it. Where, specifically, is this child? It’s irrelevant: he is at home, wherever that may be.
Kwon’s fascination with domesticity and daily experiences is intentional. “I may never have had a place to stay forever,” the artist reflects. “But wherever we were together became a home.”
*Dear Moments* generously radiates warmth. Its essence beckons us to “cherish the fleeting moments,” as Kwon desires.
*Dear Moments* is currently on display at Hashimoto Contemporary until August 30, 2025. To arrange your visit and find out more about the exhibition, visit the [Hashimoto website](https://www.hashimotocontemporary.com/).
**Danym Kwon’s latest solo exhibition, *Dear Moments*, investigates the essence of home through paintings that portray domestic life.**
**These artworks clearly convey that a “dear moment” is merely one fully experienced, irrespective of its apparent ordinariness.**
***Danym Kwon: Dear Moments* is currently at Hashimoto Contemporary until August 30, 2025.**
#### Exhibition Information:
Danym Kwon
*Dear Moments*
August 9–30, 2025
Hashimoto Contemporary
54 Ludlow St., New York NY 10002
**Danym Kwon: [Website](https://www.danymkwon.com/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/sleepy_danym/)**
**Hashimoto Contemporary: [Website](https://www.hashimotocontemporary.com/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hashimotocontemporary/?hl=en)**
***My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Hashimoto Contemporary.***
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