100th anniversary exhibition poster on which Kim’s self-portrait sculpture is featured
Seoul National University Museum of Art is currently holding an exhibition on the works of sculptor KIM Chong Yung, a pioneer in the field of Korean abstract sculpture. The exhibition was co-organized with the Kim Chong Yung Museum and the Gyeongnam Art Museum in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the sculptor's birth.
Through this exhibition, titled The Aesthetic Value of Non-Carving, Sculptor Kim Chong Yung and His Era, SNU Museum of Art aims to shed light on the artistic achievements of Korean sculpture and the artistic worldview of Kim Chong Yung. The subtitle of the exhibition, Sculpture of Kim Chong Yung: The Infinite Possibility, emphasizes the vast amount of his heritage and legacy that he left behind.
KIM Chong Yung, 1966
With regards to KIM Chong Yung's approach to art, perhaps the most significant key word is"Non-Carving," which may not seem to make much sense in terms of sculpture. KIM minimized making artificial touches on the raw material so that he could present his work as"nature itself," rather than creating mere imitations or replicas of nature by carving wood and stone. Such attitude effectively reflects KIM's firm belief in preserving the natural order of matter he was able to observe, as well as his emphasis on the internal value of objects rather than their external form. The true meaning of his works lies in how his sculptures were made, instead of what was made."Non-Carving" is what gives KIM's works their simplistic and classic beauty that well expresses his unique charm.
Kim Chong Yung, Bird, Early 1950s, Wood, 9x7x55.5 cm, Collection of Kim Chong Yung Museum
Another aspect of KIM Chong Yung's philosophy of art is the concept of"Amusement," which refers to enjoying unrestricted freedom and pure joy without any particular purpose when it comes to immersing himself in art. In other words, KIM stressed the importance finding pure amusement in art, because being conscious of materialistic fame and success prevents artists from practicing true art.
Throughout his lifetime, KIM Chong Yung left more than 200 sculptures and more than 3000 drawings before passing away at the age of 68 in 1982. The exhibition at SNU Museum of Art only displays a small selection that best represents his art -- 34 abstract sculptures, 6 drawings and 5 calligraphy pieces on display. His most well-known pieces are"Bird,""Dream Work 58-1" and"Legend Work 58-2." His wooden sculpture named"Bird," created in the early 1950s, garnered much praise and interest, and is generally recognized as one of the first pieces in Korean abstract sculpture. This particular piece, with its inner beauty stemming from the slight asymmetry similar to that found in nature, reminds the viewers of several natural images such as the silhouette of a tall bird sitting down, or of a young woman standing still at a distance.
Kim’s sculpture class at SNU, 1949
KIM's sculptures and drawings presented in the exhibition have been organized into three sections at the SNU Museum of Art. The first section, labeled Figuration and Abstraction – The Dawn of Modern Korean Sculpture, serves as a generic introduction to the history of Korean sculpture since the 1920s, showcasing KIM's early sculptures as well as those of other Korean sculptors at the time. Comparing the sculptures made by different artists allow visitors to discern the uniqueness of KIM's works. Unlike most other modern Korean sculptures of the 1920s, KIM's sculptures were less dependent on the influence of modern realism.
The second section of the exhibition, labeled Cognitive Penetration – Sculpture as Nature, features sculptures that express KIM's organic and geometric work along with his exploration of the space that surrounds his pieces. A special corner in this section, 'Bird', 'Dream,' 'Legend' – The World of Abstract Sculpture, further conveys abstract qualities of KIM's sculptures. His three most famous pieces,"Bird,""Dream Work 58-1" and"Legend Work 58-2," are displayed in this corner, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of KIM's philosophy of art.
The final section, The Aesthetic Value of Non-Carving and Amusement – The Life of Sculptor and Sculpture, portrays KIM Chong Yung's artistic worldview defined by"Non-Carving" and"Amusement." This section also illustrates KIM's contributions to SNU as a professor at the College of Arts, where he started teaching in 1948 until his retirement in 1980. In addition to his significant contributions to art, KIM Chong Yung's efforts in fostering the next generation of artists are highly appreciated by the Korean art community.
The exhibition on KIM Chong Yung will be on display until July 26, 2015. SNU Museum of Art is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The admission fee for the general public is 3,000 won, and admission is free for SNU students, staff and faculty members.
Written by YOON Jiwon, SNU English Editor, jiwonyoon@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr