art description | Yun Park

Art Description

(in chronological order 2016~2019)

When Consciousness Became the Universe 2016

Watercolour on paper

102cm x 66cm

"With just one brush stroke, nothing can be achieved. In the universe, there is the sun, the moon, the earth, and hundreds of millions of stars. All of us live in the unfathomable mystery and infinitude of the universe. Pursuing philosophy of the universe through art under such circumstances has led me to what I call stereotypical repetition." This painting was inspired by Yayoi Kusama.

The Ideal 2016

Oil paint on linen

91cm x 61cm

Love at First Sight 2016

Oil paint on linen

91cm x 61cm

The paintings, The Ideal and Love at First Sight illustrate the expressive possibilities of brush strokes in painting from the earlier stage of my practice.

The durational process of painting becomes reflection, meditation and contemplation. I paint instinctively without any preliminary drawing, concentrating on the devotional act of touching brush to canvas. While painting, I learn emotional awareness and self-regulation, which result in being self-aware of feelings that I experience. The act of painting opens up the opportunity to notice the emotions within the current moment without judgment or alteration.

My research has focused on abstract painting, colour theory and the patterns and textures of nature. The subject matter of interest ranges from various fields of art, history, literature, philosophy, and my life experience. My art is all about hidden beauty and the mystery of life through nature and the human (form and soul). While in the process of painting, I learn how to observe the beauty that cannot be seen and touched, but it must be felt.

A poem, Love at First Sight by Wislawa Szymborska represents my personal life experience and feeling.

They’re both convinced

That a sudden passion joined them.

Such certainty is beautiful,

But uncertainty is more beautiful still.

Since they’d never met before, they’re sure

That there’d been nothing between them.

But what’s the word from the streets, staircases, hallways—

Perhaps they’ve passed by each other a million times?

I want to ask them
if they don’t remember—
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a “sorry” muttered in a crowd?
a curt “wrong number” caught in the receiver?—
but I know the answer.
No, they don’t remember.

They’d be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.

Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.

There were signs and signals,
even if they couldn’t read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood’s thicket?

There were doorknobs and doorbells
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
grown hazy by morning.

Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.

Found 2019

Oil paint on linen

105cm x 127cm

The Found is a painting which consists of wide range of spectrum of black colour. Because of the nature of black colour and how it is rendered in gallery environment, the representation of it undergoes significant change, depending on lightening conditions.

This picture was made at nighttime, while the second detail shot was captured in daylight. The painting is a result of three-year-long research around the significance of black colour and its constituent (pigments).

A poem, Found by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe represents my personal life experience and feeling.

Once through the forest

Alone I went;

To seek for nothing

My thoughts were bent.

I saw i' the shadow

A flower stand there

As stars it glisten'd,

As eyes 'twas fair.

I sought to pluck it, —

It gently said:

"Shall I be gather'd

Only to fade?"

With all its roots

I dug it with care,

And took it home

To my garden fair.

In silent corner

Soon it was set;

There grows it ever,

There blooms it yet.

Night Sky and River 2018

Oil paint on linen

126cm x 126cm

The Night Sky and River is an experimentation with the black colour spectrum. This work consists only of black pigments in different concentration and mediums applied in oil painting to create brighter tones. This intensive study helped me to understand the correlation between the colour application as its expressive potential.

Snowdrop 2018

Oil paint on linen

150cm x 116cm

Snowdrop: All happy families resemble one another, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

The study of black has been a great inspiration for my art. By researching the diverse fields of the history of colour, mythology, religion and funeral rituals, the concept has become more clearly defined and my understanding of the theory of colour has grown deeper. My first artwork relates to death and mourning and my personal experience of love, loss and death. It is a result of comprehensive research into the history of the association of black with death and mourning. This work is particularly influenced by my life and inspired by art which depicts Queen Victoria in the state of mourning.

Important element in painting discussed here relates to Queen Victoria are snowdrop flowers. Usually, represented as white, in my work, I decided to apply different colour to reflect complexity of emotional state after her husband’s death.

As a part of my research process I incorporate myths, religious parables, history, poetry and novel. One of the inspiring books is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

Between Time and Space 2019

Grandfather clock and mixed media

237cm in length and 50cm in width

The installation is an antique French 18th Century (1770~1800) hand-carved oak longcase clock.

The theme of the installation relates to a fantasy about immortality, which is eternal life, being exempt from death. The parts of the clock which are disassembled represent the fragmentation of time. The clock is out of order, but it has left its traces which can be called living shadows on the floor. The traces and the empty longcase describe that time and space still exist there.

The clock installation is to commemorate my grandmother who was devoutly religious. My desire was to infuse the artwork with her message: “We will cease the exist and we are not alone.” (translated from Korean).

At the essence of her quote was the question about dying without fear.

The fear of death and process of dying is natural phenomena, and knowledge about what happens after human death is beyond our comprehension.

As a part of the project, I looked for a grandfather clock at antique shops and online auctions. My ambition was to find traditional hand carved wooden object to convey the idea of fragmentation of time and space. The clock expresses the magic and mystery of the past or what is yet to come.

Hours in the Inner-Garden 2019

Oil paint on linen

258cm x 153cm

I had many questions about humanity and nature before I started this work. I wanted to gain deeper understanding of similarity between the purest form human beings aspire to and nature.

Hermann Hesse’s last book, Hours in the Garden and Other Poems reflects human's physical and metaphysical search for a sublime alchemy, which illuminates both life and death side of nature.

For Hesse, “Now is the time to listen within, tend our inner garden mindfully until new flowers, new blessings can blossom.”

The forest garden in this painting depicts a peaceful, wondrous and natural scene which can be compared to sanctuary. It functions as a metaphor for soul retreat which can be accessed at the the stillness of night.

This work is a culmination of three-year long research into black pigments and expressive possibilities of brush strokes in painting.

After a While You Learn 2019

Oil paint on linen

183cm x 172cm

I exemplify art therapy as a tool to manage my suffering and reflect on my inner emotional states. I tend to use overly bright colours when I am depressed. It does have much more profound meaning connected to my philosophy of self-healing. The act of painting is functions as catharsis to me.

This painting is furnished with the idea of hope and bravery. The bright colours mantle over the depths of sadness.

Significant aspect of the painting can be also found in very diverse brushstrokes which were applied intentionally and have therapeutical effect when it comes to overcoming the state of depression.

A poem, You Learn by Jorge Luis Borges represents my personal life experience and feeling.

After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn—
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure—
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth—
And you learn and learn—

With every good-bye you learn.

白百 White 2019

Oil paint on canvas

100cm x 100cm

Shades of White

My main objective is to built up on my past studies and deconstruct the cultural significance of black and white colour with a view to successfully implement new findings into multi-disciplinary art practice.

Through the investigation of creative potential of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) - low-grade euphoria triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli, I would like to create unique sonic identity which corresponds to meditative state associated with these specific colours and their variations.

ASMR relies not only about listening to sound, but also dealing with moving image content. I would like to explore the proposed idea from the perspective of science, art therapy and philosophy. I envision that the final body of work will consist of painting, audience activated sound sculpture and participatory performance piece.