Art Exhibition | Park Dae Sung: Ink Reimagined

by ABBEY MAGNET

Photo Editor and Sports Editor

“Archaic Beauty” (2013)

Two attendees gaze upon Park Dae Sung’s “Archaic Beauty” (2013). The detailed calligraphy at the top fits well with one of the quotes that appeared in the pamphlet provided at the exhibit. In this quote, Sung said, “It is said that the basics of studying paintings should be found in calligraphy. The ability and sense of speed to compose images come through the study of clerical script and cursive script. You have to learn the feeling of teasing the brush.”

“Mt. Halla” (2019)

Sung’s “Mt. Halla” (2019) calls the most attention to the eye, as it is one of the largest pieces in the exhibit. The ink painting takes up almost an entire wall in the Ridderhoff Gallery, and it showcases Sung’s appeal toward landscapes by displaying a graceful and detailed scenic mountain view.

The attention to detail associated with this painting further demonstrates the thought and artistry behind Sung’s work. He is able to use both bold and light strokes to create the textured rock face while also managing the harshness of his strokes to prevent messy splotches of ink. The use of negative space is cleverly controlled by Sung, allowing the onlooker to imagine the movement of water in the waterfalls and the light layer of fog sweeping through the mountainous ridges above.

“A Rock-Carving at Tapgok Mt. Namsan” (2012)

Sung’s piece “A Rock-Carving at Tapgok Mt. Namsan” (2012) holds an abundance of texture that keeps the eye intrigued. Through his skillful shading techniques, Sung is able to highlight specific details in the interior of the rock’s surface. Upon looking closer at the background of the work, Sung painted minuscule characters in the bottom left-hand corner of the painting, along with a detailed roof on a small building situated below the rock.

Gallery guests take an up-close look at “A Peacock (1 and 2)” (2022).

Unlike the majority of the pieces in the galleries, this two-part work includes splashes of vibrant colors that provide a unique and alluring energy to the exhibit. Both parts of the piece utilize pale yellow circles decorated with swift, contrasting brushstrokes in addition to small square designs in red. The work on the left shows a peacock perched on a rock and facing the viewer, while the piece on the right emphasizes the ostentatious and detailed feathers on a peacock’s tail. 

Myoung Won Kwon, a Korean calligrapher, held a calligraphy demonstration in the duPont Gallery. 

The exhibition opened with a short demonstration presented by Korean calligrapher Myoung Won Kwon. Crouching barefoot with a brush in hand, he painted Korean characters across a long canvas with a large brush. This demonstration showed the intricacy and care that calligraphy requires. Through calligraphy, artists are able to illustrate strong and intense emotions through their brushstrokes and characters.