Mandy El-Sayegh: Theresa, After

The solo exhibition Theresa, After by Mandy El-Sayegh, held at Space K Seoul in Magok, Seoul, from March 19, 2026 to June 21, 2026, felt like an exhibition that quietly walks along and then suddenly pulls you into the gap between records and memory. The London-based artist layers and edits printed materials collected from Korean museums, antiquarian bookstores, and flea markets—old maps, calligraphy, banknotes, and more—to ask what gets recorded and what gets erased. The exhibition features around 30 works, including 9 new pieces, and I was especially impressed that the title and its critical perspective were drawn from Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's Dictee. Basic exhibition information and dates were confirmed via Lehmann Maupin, the exhibition introduction via Kiaf SEOUL, and the scale of the works via Fnnews.

Event Overview

This exhibition does not simply end with hanging a few paintings on the wall; it uses the entire space, where painting, installation, and archives connect like a study, as a narrative device. In particular, the installation tailored to Space K Seoul's architecture encourages visitors to physically pass through the works, creating the feeling that the viewer has become part of the record as well. The way grids, newspapers, maps, traces of the body, and fragments of Hangul overlap on the surface may feel unfamiliar at first, but the longer you stand there, the more scenes appear—this is that kind of exhibition. Knowing the artist's background and her connection to Theresa Hak Kyung Cha makes it much more enjoyable, as noted in an interview article from Hankyung.

Why it is good for foreigners

What made this feel especially good for foreign travelers is that, although the exhibition uses a lot of language, it ultimately approaches you first through imagery, materials, and spatial feeling. Even if you cannot read every Korean caption, the works themselves are strong enough, and because the artist deals with layered identity, migration, women's voices, and systems of power and classification, international visitors can easily overlay their own experiences. Best of all, it lets you encounter not only a very non-touristy side of Seoul but also the more contemporary atmosphere of Magok, adding a fresh angle to your travel route.

The transportation was easier than expected, too. According to the Seoul Culture Portal, it is accessible on foot from Exit 3 of Magok Station on Line 5, and Space K Seoul operates from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00, and is closed on Mondays, so it is not difficult if you plan your schedule well. I also referred to the Magok Industrial Complex guide, which notes that it is convenient to combine the exhibition with Seoul Botanic Park and LG Arts Center Seoul for a half-day course. The building itself is quite impressive, so even if you do not go in for the exhibition, it is fun to take photos, and if you check the architectural highlights in advance on Gangseo Culture & Tourism, it becomes even more interesting.

• Even if you are not familiar with contemporary art, it is okay. First, slowly walk around the space once, then return to the works that stay with you.
• If you combine it with a walk through Seoul Botanic Park, your travel satisfaction goes up significantly. The exhibition's quiet tension and a stroll through the greenery connect surprisingly well.
• Rather than quickly taking photos and leaving, I recommend setting aside at least 60 to 90 minutes. The more you read and the more you look again, the more the feeling changes.

What was disappointing or good to know

Honestly, this is not the kind of exhibition that kindly summarizes everything for you. The narrative is scattered in fragments, and there is a lot of background to keep in mind, so if you go with no information at all, your first impression may be, "It is pretty, but difficult." That is why it helps a lot to read just a little in advance about Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, Mandy El-Sayegh, and the key keywords of this exhibition: archive, classification, and migration. Also, Space K is a place where checking the exhibition changeover period and operating status is important, so it is safer to confirm the schedule once more at Space K Seoul right before your visit.

And Magok is not like Myeongdong or Bukchon, where tourist signs are packed everywhere, so if you go for the first time, the business-district feeling may seem a bit unfamiliar. But thanks to that, it is quieter, and there is the fun of seeing another side of Seoul without being surrounded by crowds. If you have a lot of luggage, I recommend putting this on a day when you can move around lightly rather than going straight to your next destination after the exhibition.

Overall

Theresa, After is less an exhibition that dazzles you with explanations and more one that makes visitors bring out their own memories and language. Foreign travelers who want to expand their footsteps into less well-known parts of Seoul, and people who want to feel the artistic sensibility of contemporary Seoul beyond K-pop or shopping, will likely find it very satisfying. It is good to go alone, and if you slowly walk to Seoul Botanic Park afterward, the day settles beautifully. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quiet but lingering moment of Seoul found in Magok.