“How should one live?” and “Who am I?”-reflecting on such questions is one of the important attitudes one must cultivate in life. Such reflection inevitably arises through an exploration of the inner self, and in order to enter this inner world, one needs moments of voluntary silence and solitude. The voluntary solitude referred to here does not simply mean being physically alone; it also signifies a tranquil state of mind-one that does not continue to carry the burdens of the past, that does not bring yesterday’s weight into today. However, for people living in the modern world, practicing such quietness of mind in everyday life is not easy. Through the sense of stillness that can be felt within his paintings, the artist seeks to offer viewers a moment to set down the burdens of their hearts and a foothold from which to embark on an inner journey of their own. The profound solitude felt in winter landscapes, and the quiet strength embodied in the figure of a lone person walking toward the vastness of nature, become companions in the solitude of those who journey toward understanding themselves.
- Artist’s note, Son Jungkee