Creating Warmth⠀60.6 x 60.6cm Oil on canvas 2023In my artwork, the concept of "온기 (on-gi)" is always depicted as a kind of 'warmth' in the form of a flame. This warmth gains greater power not just from one person, but amplifies when two, and even more, come together. The two figures in the piece create this "온기 (on-gi)" together. And within their shared warmth, the world becomes filled with life.
Harvesting Warmth⠀53 x 45.5cm Oil on canvas 2023My childhood is filled with memories of assisting my grandmother with farming in a small rural village. The fertile soil and the plants that grew from it have always remained in my memory. The crops that grow in the fields and paddies are imbued with the farmer's love, aspirations, and determination. In that light, I've often thought that a certain kind of warmth or tenderness might just sprout from the earth. If the 'will of all those moments' and 'warmth' were to grow and become ready for harvest, I feel as if they could be pulled up just like root vegetables.
Beholder⠀53 x 45.5cm Oil on canvas 2023This artwork, depicting someone's hand gesture intently observing something, illustrates that 'warmth' is always present everywhere in the world. When we decide to see warmth, we can discover it all around us. The owner of this hand is also focused on warmth. Thus, for this person, the world is brimming with tenderness.
A Seeker of Cold Hearts⠀53 x 45.5cm Oil on canvas 2023In my childhood, I used to play around my home with a dowsing rod, searching for underground water veins. This tool often appeared on Korean TV programs in the '90s. To my young eyes, the act of finding water veins felt truly mysterious, almost like magic. What if, with a dowsing rod, we could find those with cold hearts who are unable to see the warmth in the world? In this artwork, the character roams with a dowsing rod, seeking out those with cold hearts, intent on sharing the warmth she possesses.
The Brightest Things in the Night Air⠀53 x 45.5cm Oil on canvas 2023Even in the cold air of the night, people's 'aspirations' and 'will' shine brightly. The warm feelings toward one another and the longing for a kind world become a bright lantern, leading those with the same heart to come together. I firmly believe this.
The One Who Departed for the Night⠀53 x 45.5cm Oil on canvas 2023Ironically, it's hard to see the beauty that light brings in a time filled with light. We usually perceive and immediately feel the beauty of a certain light when it is covered in darkness. Similarly, with the affairs of the world. Kindness feels more precious when the world seems cold and looks like a mess. The character in the artwork ventures into the night. And there, she exudes kindness. Someone will see this and recognize the strength of kindness.
물 아이⠀53 x 45.5cm Oil on canvas 2021
Fragments of Will Becoming Stars Beyond⠀53 x 45.5cm Oil on canvas 2023To achieve anything, the first step is to make up your mind. We call this 'will'. Actions follow the will. These actions carry the will, spreading it throughout the world. And I firmly believe that each of these will shine like a star somewhere in the world. The characters in the artwork are sending out a common will for a more tender world. That kind-hearted will is destined to shine like a star in our world.
온기를 떠올리는 사람⠀68 x 58cm Oil on canvas 2022
Seeker of Warmth⠀72.7 x 90.9cm Oil on canvas 2022People often speak of the world as a cruel place, but for those who seek tenderness, it is found in everything. The character in the artwork dove into the world in search of this tenderness. However, she didn't need to embark on a long journey. Tenderness was already right before her eyes. It is seen if you wish to see it, such is the nature of tenderness.
Person with a Dove Hat and the Age-old Tenderness⠀60.6 x 72.7cm Oil on canvas 2023I believe that all our actions, from living in a physical body, standing on the ground, to breathing in and out, are all due to the longstanding tenderness that has continued since ancient times. We are the embodiment of this enduring tenderness. From time to time, I look at my family tree. Just think about the immense amount of care and tenderness from others that has been bestowed upon my ancestors, allowing me to be here today. Without a heart for each other, we could not have built civilization. I also think our future depends on this tender heart.
온실과 보호자들⠀72.7 x 60.6cm Oil on canvas 2022
Bestowing Warmth, Coloring the World⠀116.8 x 91cm Oil on canvas 2022Often, we meet people who see the world as if the color has faded away. Especially for those suffering from sadness, the world may appear grayer. However, the power to bring color back into this ashen world could come from the kindness of others. In a painting, one character might provide warmth, while another receives it. Through these exchanges, 'life', symbolized by vibrant plants, begins to flourish. Meanwhile, someone is watching every moment, observing not only the events within the surface of the painting but also the reality outside,-in our own world.
다정한 사람들의 상륙⠀45.5 x 53cm Oil on canvas 2023
온기의 파편⠀27.3 x 27.3cm Oil on panel 2022