Vanishing: Journal of its Vestiges–The Book of Fish, 2021
Consciously or not, I constantly revise my writing. It is a good habit of organizing one’s thoughts and a worthwhile process for a painter. So, I decided to write about what’s been on my mind concerning my painting style which is becoming more abstractive. As I usually express my feelings by painting, this rare attempt to share my thoughts in writing would be valuable.
My latest works are inspired by a Korean film about an exile’s life, Jasaneobo (The Book of Fish), which resonated with me who grew up influenced by the culture of exiles. The homonymous essay “The Book of Fish” contains my reflections on the sea, consisting of three parts: “Perception of Naturalistic Form,” “A Mind Rising Amid Chaos,” and “A Talk with a Friend.”
Painting and writing have their own way to be expressed. So, I placed the texts next to
color field paintings, hoping to better share the content embodied in the texture of my paintings
with audiences. Pieced together by writing, erasing, and coloring, all become the journal of vestiges.*
* Translated by J Noh