아로새기다, When Light is Put Away
When the sun sets and the lights go out, I devote my time solely to myself. I conclude the day peacefully by recalling the view of the skyline on my way to the studio, the sunset along the river, leaves rustling in the wind, rays of sunlight through branches, and trees seen through the window, as well as the conversation and elicited emotions I shared with others. The day is etched in my memory by recollecting images and words of natural scenery.
In the preceding series, “Imperfection”, I valued the beauty of imperfection, which in Korean traditional culture signifies the reverence for nature by accepting natural forms. A condition of imperfection demonstrates the value of the unattainable pursuit of perfection. Buddhism's concept of impermanence states that nothing on earth is ever free and that everything constantly changes and alternates. I accept the concept of one thing dissolving into another through an endless chain of cause and effect. The qualities of incompletion and deterioration complete the painting. My core spiritual practice of accepting impermanence is evoked by the idea of incompleteness.
If the previous series “Imperfection” emphasized meditative practice and the acceptance of imperfection's beauty, in the new series, I cut hanji and overlay it with sand on the canvas to convey a personal narrative and emotion while retaining the meditative act. Just as the title ‘아로새기다(a-ro-sae-gi-da) 1. Engrave (carve) elaborately, make an elaborate bas-relief 2. Keeping it clearly in mind’, The daily practice of documenting my emotions and thoughts through writing and photography has become a way for me to imprint them in my mind permanently.
The hues of the time-specific images become my work's main visualization resource. As the pigment penetrates the initial layer of hanji, it becomes softer and lighter. The first stratum is interpreted as a record of the day's most vivid memories. Added layers of hanji's thin and delicate texture produce a hazy and evanescent effect, symbolizing the vanishing of memories and emotions. The act of adding another layer of paint to the hanji represents recalling the fading recollections. Eventually, by the time I complete placing the multiple layers of hanji, the color of the hanji gradually fades, much like the thoughts, events, and emotions that gradually leave my mind.
I create art to maintain a meditative practice and to engrave and articulate my emotions, similar to journaling. By sharing something personal through a visualized meditation work with the audience, I hope to provide a relaxing yet serious opportunity for meditation and introspection for the audience and myself. The work becomes a visual metaphor of my mind as it gradually seeks out who I am and attains serenity, relief, and calm.