Buzz art contributor and photographer Megan Derry visited Park Dae Sung: Virtuous Ink and Contemporary Brush, an exhibition spotlighting the artist’s large-scale ink paintings currently on display at LACMA through December 11, 2022. This exhibition is curated by Virginia Moon, Associate Curator, Korean Art at LACMA.
“Where can my painting go in the future” is the question that Park Dae Sung asks of himself as he continues his pursuit of excellence and originality in both his paintings and drawings, which spring from traditional calligraphy.
Park Dae Sung was born in 1945 during the final days of Korea’s occupation by Japan. During the Korean war (1950-1953), his parents were killed by Communist soldiers. He turned to painting as a means of coping and has searched for the meaning of hanja (the Korean name for a traditional writing system which consists of Chinese characters) ever since.
His mastery of calligraphy painting has allowed Park Dae Sung the freedom to go forward in his own original style, which is ever evolving. These works illuminate a great master who is elevating the form and taking it in new directions. The viewer is invited to observe up close the brushstrokes and lines in this single room exhibition.
In addition, the scale of his work feels like an invitation to sit and meditate – be it at the foot of a waterfall or in observation of a winter retreat nestled deep in the quiet of a snowy wood.
This is the first solo show for the artist in the U.S. and it is breathtaking.
