Chung Hae Sook
Exultation of Light
Artist Chung Hae Sook’s [Projection] Series
It is always stunning to see stars up on the sky. These stars have been in their place since the beginning of time, not moving an inch. They walk their destined path without digression. It is because of these countless stars that the universe exists as it does today, and the sight of these stars maintaining order is simply marvelous.
The same can be found among artist Chung Hae Sook’s paintings. Hundreds of spaces formed by the quadrilaterals, the triangles, the bars and the color lines maintain harmony by keeping order. The neighboring spaces do not compete or disaccord with each other, but provide support in order to pursue overall unity. Her works signify the ‘beauty of order.’
Quite apart from other geometrical abstract paintings, artist Chung Hae Sook’s works do not convey an indifferent air or a straight face. Her works are brimming with life. The vibrant colors are dancing and harmonizing with each other, while the geometrical images move with the melodious music of the curved lines. Then the images of the blue ocean, the bright lights, and the lights reflecting off the waters, the wide horizons and the bird flying high above, all come into sight. Her colors are vivacious, her rhythm dynamic, and the overall image very pure and elegant,
Artist Chung Hae Sook’s works remind us of the white sands, the endless horizons and the blue heavens above. These images come from her experience of living abroad. Artist Chung Hae Sook had resided for many years with her family in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. There, she had opportunities to come across great scenic beauty. She was smitten by sight of the tropical greens, the violet orchids, the numerous beautiful flowers, the tall palm trees, the waves of the South Pacific Ocean and the sparkling sand on the shore. The turkey, blue and violet colors make us visualize the tropical nature, and carry the breaths of life that has been untouched by human hand.
Professor and art critic Lee Il has made a point on the unique characteristic of her work.
“The contradicting relationships are part of what forms the spaces – the relationships between the minimum and the maximum, the partial and the whole. Those on opposite sides form multi-centered spaces via the process of coinciding and self-amplification. In other words, the spaces, while they are one-dimensional, can also convey depth, and can be a transparent space resulting from the projection of the soul. The space is controlled by a precise and orderly rhythm that comes from within.” (1992)
These words are still applicable today. The artist maintains the space formed by ‘projection of the soul.’ Her spaces are not mere abstract works structured by repetitive and machine-like actions, but symbolize the hopes of the soul. The spaces carry the hint of her hopes for reaching the harbor of life, hopes that stem from the bottom of her heart.
Recently, artist Chung Hae Sook has made efforts to leave out a certain amount of space, apart from other spaces that are divided. Through these open spaces, she is trying to emphasize the unseen, and convey the existence of the soul.
What I personally wish to make a point about artist Chung Hae Sook’s works is her devoted craftsmanship. Each painting is created with much care. Some take even half a year to complete, and even the small works require a month-long effort. For her, there is no ‘rough work.’ She concentrates fully on each space, and each color. The small spaces come together to form a cluster, and then the whole. Although the oil color that she uses typically lack moisture, making it difficult for the artist to make smooth strokes, this is of no concern to artist Chung Hae Sook. She is so skillful with oil colors that she uses it as if it is watercolor or a spray.
The well-structured work is finally born after days and nights of careful and focused work. The fine line between success and failure is determined by patience, determination, and intricate brushworks that require high-level concentration. Her thorough craftsmanship adds more value to her work.
Each space is supported by accurate design and clean finish. Colors that run into neighboring spaces could disrupt the harmony between spaces, and the space and the whole. She steadies her breath and maintains tension while she’s at work. Her artwork begins when all actions come to halt, so that the brushwork can be done in total equilibrium of the senses.
There is something about her works that cannot be missed. It is the subtle inspiration of the light. Her works are brimming with the waves of light. Countless fragments of light seep through the canvas, as if the sunlight reflects on the calm lake waters. The fragments light up the night sky like fireworks, and with as each firework goes off, the small spaces create a spectacle, with translucent colors.
The [God of Love], [Dreaming Island], [Morning Prayer], [River of Blessings], [River of Life], [Jesus of Love], and [The Resurrection] all consist of multifaceted spaces like the diamond. Not only does light pour out from the cross, the window and the sky, the white light seeps from each sides. If the light that radiates from the cross, the window and the sky are the original form of light, then the light that comes from each spaces are the reflection of the original form. It is a relationship between reality and illusion. Each side cannot emanate light by themselves. But they can become the passages of light.
The light is blinding like the sun. More white light flows from the center, and less as we move further. Where there is light, becomes the center. Therefore, her works do not discriminate the center from the peripheral. What matters is the location of the light. It is the starting point and the point of growth.
In her most recent works, the bottom half of her works are furthest away from the light. As we can see from the [River of Blessings], [River of Life], [Jesus of Love], [Dreaming Island], [The Resurrection], [Salvation] and [Beautiful Land], the bottom half formed into a roof is furthest from the light. It is the very place where light is needed the most. This land we live in, full of moans and groans is where God’s blessing is urgently needed. This land is still weighed down by darkness, and ruled by the night. And this land is yet to escape from the period of severe cold winter. We can only overcome the coldness in the presence of warm light, and the warmth radiating from the light.
As it is explicated above, light carries much significance for the artist Chung Hae Sook. What then, does light mean to her? The light that she expresses is different in character from simple rays and artificial lighting. The light that radiates from her oil colors mean much more. Her light is the ‘light of the soul,’ and only when we experience the existence of this light can we be blessed with the true joy of our soul.
A pure soul gives birth to a pure work of art. Only the inspired heart can see inspiration and express it. The eye of the soul needs to be open in order for the soul to enter the castle of eternity and the light of life.
Her works mean much to us not because of their religious concept. It is because her works are close with Jesus Christ, the light of our lives. Artist Chung Hae Sook visualizes the heavenly world filled with beauty more dazzling than jewels, light more radiant that the sun, and His kingdom more stunning than any flower. Therefore, she invites us to join the bright and glorious world and experience the joy within. Her works are the model of the brightest and the most celebrated nation.
April 25, 2005
Seo Seong Rock (Art Critic)