Press release:

SURGERY PRESENTS LOUNGE WITH JON BURGERMAN SURGERY (써저리), Seoul — solo exhibition

August 27 – October 18, 2026 · Open daily, 12–6 PM B2, 6 Dosan-daero 57-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

SEOUL — SURGERY (써저리) is pleased to present Lounge, a solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Jon Burgerman, on view from August 27 through October 18, 2026. It is the artist's first solo presentation at the gallery and a rare chance for Korean audiences to experience his work.

Burgerman is one of the most recognizable figures in contemporary character-driven art. A British-born, New York–based artist, he is widely credited with helping bring "doodle" into the vocabulary of serious visual culture. Over two decades his instantly readable cast of wobbly, wide-eyed characters have appeared almost magically, moving fluidly between museum and gallery walls, large-scale outdoor murals, the pages of publications, and through brand collaborations, building a devoted following across Europe, the United States, and Asia. Burgerman has already attracted a passionate audience in Korea. Celebrating its 12th anniversary this year, Jon Burgerman’s iconic public art installation continues to animate the glass canopy entrances of Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Exit 2) on the Suin–Bundang Line, only a short stroll from Surgery.

The exhibition brings together a new body of paintings in which Burgerman's familiar characters dissolve into soft, atmospheric fields of color — hazier, dreamier, and more meditative than the sharp graphic linework he was previously best known for.

Surgery has created an ideal environment for Lounge, inviting visitors to hang out with the work. SURGERY features a series of speakeasy cocktail lounges as well as special guests scheduled to make appearances throughout the exhibition. The result is a space that feels less like a white-cube gallery and more like a room to settle into: warm, playful, and quietly emotional.

The exhibition continues SURGERY's program of bringing globally significant artists into intimate dialogue with a Seoul audience, in the heart of Gangnam's Dosan-daero arts and design district.The word “surgery” is rooted in the idea of healing through the hands. Drawing on more than 20 years of hands-on curatorial experience, globally recognized curator, Stephanie Seungmin Kim, founded SURGERY in Seoul this year as a space for experimentation, collaboration, and renewal. Conceived as an alternative to the conventional gallery system, SURGERY seeks to develop more innovative ways of working with artists and audiences, while addressing an art world that often feels rigid and fatigued.

Exhibition Details Title: Lounge with Jon Burgerman Dates: August 27 – October 18, 2026 Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Venue: SURGERY (써저리), B2, 6 Dosan-daero 57-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Admission: Free Instagram: @surgery_seoul · @jonburgerman @dr_stephanie_kim Supported by: K BOOSTER

About Jon Burgerman Jon Burgerman is a British artist based in New York, known for his spontaneous, characterful drawing style and a body of work that spans painting, murals, objects, and large-scale public projects. His playful, improvisational approach has made him a leading voice in contemporary pop and character art, with exhibitions, commissions, and collaborations worldwide.

Media Contact Dr. Stephanie Seungmin Kim, Director SURGERY (써저리) director@sleeperssummit.com +82(0)10 86510668 High-resolution images available on request.