Artist Statement
I strive to establish myself as an artist devoted to the spirit of craftsmanship—one who reinterprets and carries forward tradition in a contemporary context, and who realizes the essential value of art through a slow yet deeply thoughtful creative process. Through this approach, I seek to create works that transcend the present moment and remain meaningful in memory.
Art, for me, is a medium through which emotions are shared and communicated through the act of creation. It enriches human life both spiritually and materially, becoming an integral part of our existence.
My artistic process draws from traditional Korean painting—particularly ink painting (sumukhwa) and color painting—while incorporating an unprecedented technique that combines lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay (najeon). By layering lacquer over the surface and embedding mother-of-pearl, I explore a new pictorial language in which tradition and modernity coexist.
On hanji (traditional Korean paper), delicate worlds of ink and color are formed through lacquer painting. Dozens of layers of lacquer gradually deepen the surface, enriching its depth and chromatic resonance. The mother-of-pearl placed upon this surface introduces a sense of vitality and leaves a poetic and lingering atmosphere.
A recurring motif in my work is the reed field, which embodies longing for one’s hometown and family, as well as reflections on life. Each painting becomes a contemplative space—one that simultaneously reflects the past and present, the inner self and the natural world—inviting viewers into a moment of quiet introspection.
