개교 40주년 기념 곽훈 초대전

 

 

싱그런 풀잎이 아름다운 계절, 여름.
대구보건대학교 개교 40주년을 기념하기 위해 인당박물관에서는 ‘곽훈 초대전 - 생성의 신비를 여는 상상의 우주‘전을 마련하였습니다.

2006년 ‘우주적 생명의 빛’에 이어 마련된 이번 전시는 대우주의 장엄하고 역동적인 모습을 아름다움 그 자체로 재탄생시킨 <기 CHI>,  <겁/소리 Kalpa/Sound>시리즈를 비롯하여, 페루 여행 중 영감을 얻어 그린 <페루Peru>시리즈, 다완 드로잉 위에 천을 덧대어 만들어 낸 <다완Tea Bowls>시리즈까지 다양한 작품세계를 보여드리고자 합니다. 현대적인 감각과 한국전통의 우아함까지 두루 갖춘 그의 작품세계는 우리에게 매번 신선함으로 다가옵니다.  이는 아름다움에 대한 끝없는 고뇌로 끊임없이 새로운 것을 찾아 도전 하는 작가의 정신이 깃들어 있기 때문일 것입니다.

아름답고 귀한 것은 사람을 기쁘게 합니다.

이번 전시를 통해 여러분과 함께 그 기쁨을 나누고 싶습니다.
 

대구보건대학교 총장  남 성 희

 

 

 

 

 

This summer, during the beautiful season of green leaves,
Indang musuem will hold an exhibition-"Hoon Kwak's Invitation Exhibit - Imaginary Space Unfolding the Mystery of Creation"-to celebrate the 40th anniversary of thefounding of Daegu Health College.
Following the 2006 exhibition entitled "Light of Cosmic Life,"Hoon Kwak's newest exhibition will show a wide variety of works ranging from his and series in which he recreated the majesty and dynamism of cosmos with beauty itself to his series, inspired by his travels to South America, as well as his quintessential series created by attaching patches of cloth on drawings of tea bowls.
His world of works combines traditional Korean elegance with modern taste, which always leaves the viewer with a fresh perspective. Perhaps this is due to his willingness to search for something new without a break by pursuing beauty endlessly.What is beautiful and precious makes people feel happy, and we would like to share this pleasure with all of you through this exhibition.
  

  Nam, Sung hee

Presidend Daegu Health College

 

 

개교 40주년 기념 곽훈 초대전

 

 

KWAK, Hoon

 

Born 1941, Daegu, Korea

Residence Los Angeles, California

 

1980-82   California State University, Long Beach, M.F.A

1979-80   California State University, Los Angeles, M.A

1959-63   Seoul National University, Seoul, B.F.A

 

 

         Solo Exhibitions

 

2010   Gallery Silla, Daegu, Korea

2009   C.J. Gallery, San Diego

2007   YEH Gallery, Seoul, Korea

2007   Korea Art Center, Pusan

2007   Gallery Silla, Daegu, Korea

2006   Daegu Health College Art Center, Daegu, Korea

          Pyo Gallery, Seoul, Korea

2005   National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

2004   Pyo Gallery, Seoul, Korea

2003   Andrew Shire Gallery, Los Angeles, California

2002   Hyundai Art Center Gallery, Ulsan, Korea

          MBC Gallery, Daegu Gallery

2000   "Contemplation", Rong Bao Zhai Gallery, Beijing, China

          Kumho Museum of art, Seoul, Korea

1999   Carinthia Gallery Kragenfurt, Austria

1998   Charles Cowles Gallery, N.Y

          Kumho Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea

1997   Garinthia Galleria, Kragenfurt, Austria

          Gallery 63, Seoul, Korea

          Ci-Gong Gallery, Daegu, Korea

1996   Jo Hyun Gallery, Pusan, Korea

          Masan M.B.C Gallery, Masan, Korea

          Pyo Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, Alabama

          Daegu Art Center Daegu, Korea

1995   Venice Biennale, Korea Paviling, Italy

          Sigma Gallery, New York

          Inkong Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Sun Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Palos Verdes Art Center, Los Angeles, California

1994   The Works Gallery, Costa Mesa, California

          Andrew Shire Gallery, Los Angeles, California

1993   Sun Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Sonje Museum of Contermporary Art, Kyung-ju, Korea

          National Museum of Contermporary Art, Seoul, Korea

1992   Pusan Gallery, Pusan, Korea

          MacQuarie Gallery, sydney, Australia

1992   Chicago International Art Fair(Sun Gallery), Chicago Illinois

          Sala pares Gallery, Barcelona, Spain

          The Works Gallery, Long Beach, California

          Tokyo International Art Fair(Sun Gallery), Tokyo, Japan

1991   Pacific Asian Museum, Pasadena, California

          Sun Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1990   Miami International Art Exposition, Sun Gallery,Miami, Florida

          L.A.International Art Exposition, Sun Gallery,Galifornia

          MacQuarie Gallery, Sydney, Australia

          The Works Gallery, Costa Mesa, California

          Sun Galelry, Seoul, Korea

1989   The Works Gallery, Costa Mesa, California

          Levinson Kane Gallery, Two California, Boston, Massachusetts

          London Art Fair, Two Artist Show, Iannetti Lanzone Gallery, San Francisco, California

          Karl Bornstein Gallery, Santa Monica, California, Sun Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1988   L.A International Art Fair(Sun Art Galelry), Los Angeles, Galifornia

          Iannetti Lanzone Gallery, San Francisco, California

1987   L.A International Art Fair(Sun Art Gallery), Los Angeles, California

          Inkong Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Duson and Pyung Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1986   Harcourts Contemporary, San Francisco, California

          Korean Cultural Service Center Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          Ymok Gallery, Daegu, Korea

1985   Karl Bornstein Gallery, Santa Monica, California

          Duson and Pyung Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1984   Q Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

1983   Dongsanbang Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Art Space Gallery, Los Angeles, California

1983   L.A.Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          Dongsanbang Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Traction Gallery, L.A.California

1981   L.A Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles, California

1980   L.A Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles, California

 

 

         Group Exhibitions

 

2009   L.A. County Museum of Art

          Philadelphia Museum of Art

2004   National Museum of Art Contemporary, Seoul, Korea

2003   Chicago International Art Fair, Pyo Gallery, Chicago

          Shanghai Art Fair, Shanghai, Pyo Gallery, China

2000   National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea

          Korea Cultural Center, N.Y.

1998   Charles Cowles Gallery, N.Y.

1997   Charles Cowles Gallery, N.Y.

1996   Seoul Art Center, "Venice Biennale", Seoul, Korea

          Newport Harvor Art Museum, "Who's Afraid of Feedom"

          Newport Beach, California

1993   Pauline Hirsh Gallery, "Fusion'93", Los Angles, California

1992   Levinson Kane Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts

          Sandra Walter Gallery, Hong Kong

          Watts Tower, Los Angeles, California

          MacQuarie Gallery, Sydney, Australia

          Art Space Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          Sun Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1991   Group Show, Levinson Kane Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts

          Group Show, Hanwon Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Group Show, The Annex Gallery, La Jolla, California

          Group Show, The Annex Gallery, San Diego, California

          Group Show, The Works Gallery, Long Beach, California

          Group Show, Vallerie Miller Gallery, Brunswick, Maine

          "East and West", Hobe Sound Gallery, Brunswick, Maine

1989   The Thumb Gallery, London, England

          Gallery Artists Group Show, The Works Gallery, Long Beach,California

          "Art Unlimited", Cerritos College Fine Art Gallery, Cerritos,California

          Group Show, Vallerie Miller Gallery, Palm Desert, California

1988   Group Show, Van Straaten Gallery, Chicago, Illinois

          "5 Contemporary American Artists", with Laddi John Dill, Eric Orr

          Michael Hayden & George Geyer, Sun Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Group Show, Vallerie Miller Gallery, Palm Desert, California

          Group Show Iannetti Lanzone Gallery, San Francisco, California

          Group Show, Kukje Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Group Show, Karl Bormstein Gallery, Santa Monica, California

          Group Show, The Works Gallery, Long Beach, California

1987   Group Show, Karl Bormstein Gallery, Santa Monica, California

          "Contemporary Art of Korea: Artists in Daegu"

          Osaka Contemporary Art Center, Osaka, Japan

          International Art Fair, Basel, Switzerland(Harcourts

          Contemporary Gallery), San Francisco, California

          Group Show, The Works Gallery, Ling Beach, California

          Gontemporary American Art: Southern California, Taipei

          Fine Arts Museum, Taipei, Raiwan

          "New Talent Showcase2", The Works, Gallery, Long Beach, California

1886   Group Show, Karl Bornstein Gallery, Santa Monica, California

          "Cultural Fusion: 6 Contemporary Korean American Artists"

          Simard halm Gallery Los Mngeles, California

          Group Show, The Works Gallery, Long Beach, California

          Group Show, Karl Bornestein Gallery, Santa Monica, California

          Harcourts Contemporary Gallery, the International Art Fair

          Basel Switzerland

          "Only L.A: Contemporary Variations", Los Angeles

          Municipal Art Gallery, Barnsdall Park, Los Angeles,California

1985   "Trio", Harcourts Contemporary Gallery, San Francisco,California

          "Fusion 85", Jewish Federation Council, :os Angeles,California

          Gallery Artists, the Works Gallery, Long Beach, California

          "Screens and Scrolls", 18th Sterrt Gallery, Santa Monica,California

          Gallery Artists, the Works Gallery, Long Beach, California

          "Screens and Scrolls", 18th Street Gallery, Santa Monica,California

          "1 to 1", Art Rental Gallery, Los Angeles County Museum of

          Art, Los Angeles, California

1984   "Korean-American Expressions;5 Artist from Los Angeles",California State University

          Doninguez Hills, Carson, California "May I Have Attention

          Please!", Wing Luke Memorial Museum of Art, Seattle,Washington

          Gallery Artists, Karl Bornstein Gallery Santa Monica, California

          Gallery Artists, Harcourts Contemporary Gallery, Santa

          Francisco, California, Gallery Artists, Art Space Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          "Korean Art Today", Korean Cultural Service, Los Angeles,California

          Group Exhibition for MetroRail Transit Corporation, Los Angeles, California

          Gallery Artists, Art Space Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          1983 "California Dreaming", Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery,

          Barnsdall Park, Los Angeles, California

          8Korea American Artists, Korean Cultural Service, Los Angeles, California

          3 Artist Show in Conjuction with L.A.V.A.,L.A. Visual Art

          Tours, L.A.Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          "Additional Space Expose VI", Rental Gallery, LA County

          Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California

          "Long Beach Connection", Palos Verdes Art Center, Palos

          Verdes, California

          "Works on Paper", 1:16 Gallery, Los Angeles, California

1982   15L.A Artist, Scope Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          "Bowl-Shaman:Transitions", One Man Show, Gallery C,

          California State University, Long Beach, California

          Group Show, 1:16 Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          Group Show, Traction Gallery, Los Angeles, California

          24th Annual National Exhibition of Prints & Drawings,

          Oklahoma Art Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

          L.E.A.A Juried All Median National Exhibition, New

          Mexico Junior College, Hobbs, New Mexico

1982   Alice Lloyd College 3rd Annual Works on Paper, Pippa

          Passes, Kentucky

          Pensacola Nateional Water Media Exhibition, Visual Art

          Gallery, Pesacola Jonior College, Pensacola, Florida

1981   "Show-1", Winter", Art Rental Gallery, Los Angeles County

          Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California

          "Rutgers National '81", Stedman Art Gallery, Rutgers

          University, Camden, New Jersey

          "Ink and Clay9', California State Polytechnic Universitiy,

          Pomona, California

          Group Show, 1:16 Gallery, Los Angeles, California 15th

          National Juried Exhibition, Orange Country Art Association,

          Brea Art Gallery, Civic Cultural Center, Brea, California

          Long Beach Art Association, Open Juried Exhibition

          Visual Arts, Long Beach Gallery, California

          Los Angeles Visual Arts'81(L.A.V.A), Japanes American

          Community Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California

          "Newcomers'81", Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery

          Barnsdall Park, Los Angeles, California

          61th National Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition

          Traveling Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs, California

          "Tucson Museum Art, Tuson, Arizona

          Pheonix Art Museum, Phoenix, Arizona

          Arnot Art Museum, New York

          6 Artist Travelling Exhibition, M.M shinno Gallery, Los Angeles

          California Travelling, Nagasaki Prefecture Museum, Tenjin Salon Gallery, Fukuoka

          Japan & American Cultural Center, Pusan, Korea

          13 Contemporary Korean Artists Exhibition, Los Angeles

          Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles

          Dongsanbang Gallery, Seoul, Korea

          Asian Pacific American Artists Exhibition, Japanes American

          Community Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California

          Long Beach Art Association, Open Juried Exhibition Visual

          Arts, Long Beach Gallery, Long Beach, California

          "Selections'81", National Juried Art Exhibition Vertex Gallery, Taos, New Mexico

          Alice Lloyd College 2nd Annual National, Pippa Passes, Kentucky

          "Brand XI", 11th Annual Juried Art Exhibition,

          Brand Library Art Gallery, Glendale, California

          8Artists Invitational Drawing & Paintion Exhibition, Weber State College, Ogden, Utah

          "Drawing Conclusion", Junior Art Center Gallery, Barnsdall Park, Los Angeles, California

          L.E.A.A Juried All Media National Art Exhibition Hobbs, New Mexico

          10th National Prints & Drawing Exhibition, Minot State College, Minot, North

          Dakota Ink & Clay 8, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California

1981   Spokane National 1981, Eastern Washington State Historica Society Cheney Cowles

          Memorial Museum, Spokane, Washington

1980   14th Juried Art Exhibition, Orange Country Art Association

          Brea Art Gallery, Civic Cultural Center, Brea, California

          Long Beach Art Association, Open Jureid Exhibition Visual

          Arts, Long Beach Gallery, Long Beach, California

          Asia Pacific American Artists Invitational, Japanese American

          Community Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California

          42nd Annual Exhibition of Contemporary

          American Paintings, The Society of Four Arts, Four Art

          Plaza, Palm Beach, Florida

          Wesleyan International Exhibition of Prints & Drawings,

          Wesleyan College, Macon, Georgia

 

 

         Publications

 

Howad N.Fox"of Two Mind"Hoon Kwak, 1998

Darin Powell,"Sound Shapes"Birmingham Post-Herald, April 22,1996

Jonathan Goodman, "Review", ART News, Dec.1995

Peter Frank, "Review", Asian Art News, Hong Kong, Sept.1995

Kwangsoo Kim, "Venice Biennale & Korean Art", Morning Calm, June 1995

Letitia Baldridge, Daily Breeze, Mar. 8,1995

Josin Ianco Starrels & Susan C. Larsen, Hoon Kwak, Typecraft

Publications, 1993

Ian Findlay-Brown, "A Korean Bridge" Asian Art New, Hong Kong,

May/June, 1992

Jo Saurin, "Review", The sydeney Morning Heald, Dec. 8,1990

Gene Harbrecht, "Review", The Orange County Register, June 18,1990

Dinah Berland, "Review", Press-Telegram, Oct.24,1989

Kristine Mckenna, "Review", L.A. Times, Oct.1989

Victoria Lou, "Review", Artist, Taiwan Vol. 143, Apr.1987

Kristine Mckenna, "Review", L.A. Times, Oct.1985

Amaury Saint-Gilles, "Review", Mainichi Daily News, Mar.1984

Elizabeth Richardson, "Review", Images & Issues, Jan.1984

Isabel Anderson, "Review", Art Week, Aug.13.1983

Robert Pincus, "Review", L.A. Times, Aug.12.1983

The Great I.&I. Cover Up, Image & Issues, July 1983

Isabel Anderson, "Review", Art Week, Oct.9,1982

Susan Muchnic, "Review", L.A Times, Oct 1,1982

William Wilson "Review", L.A Times, Sept,13,1981

 

 

         Collections & Commissions

 

Security Pacific National Bank, Los Angeles, California

Amoco Production Co.(Standard oil), Denver, Colorado

Minor State College, Minor, North Dakota

Pensacola State Junior College, Pensacola, Florida

National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea

First L.A.Bank,Los Angeles, California

Columbia Pictures Co.,Los Angeles, California

Santen Seyak Co.,Tokyo,Japan

Wilshire House, Los Angeles, California

Bel Air Hotel, Los Angeles California

Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Tunney, Los Angeles, California

Sheraton Harbor Island West, San Diego, California

American Food & Beverage Co.,Los Angeles, California

American Bar & Grill, Santa Monica, California

Executive Life Insurance Co.,Los Angeles, California

Walker Hill Art Center, Seoul, Korea

Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

Tokyo Hilton, Tokyo, Japan

Compri Hotel, Aurora, Colorado

Southbrook Entertainment, Beverly Hills, California

Held Properties, beverly Hills, California

Trident Ltd,.Los Angeles, California

Ana Hotel, Tokyo,Japan

Bryan, Cave, McFetters & McRoverts, Los Angeles, California

Robertson Designs, Arcadia, California

Four Season Hotel, Newport Beach, California

Jewish Federation Council, Los Angeles, California

Bear Stearn & Co.,Los Angeles, California

Tyson's Corner of Sheraton Hotel, Virginia

Hyatt Melbourne, Australia

Spierer,Woodward,Denis & Furstman,Los Angeles, California

M.B.C.T.V.Crop.,Seoul Korea

Grand Hyatt Regency,Washington D.C

Los Angeles International Airport Hilton, Los Angeles, California

Omni Hotel, Jackson, China

Philippe Guimiot Art Gallery, Bruxelles, Belgium

O'Conner-Cabanaugh art Gallery, Bruxelles, Belgium

Hilton Hotel, Seoul, Korea

Beverly Hills Hotel,Beverly Hills,California

Pacific Bell, San Francisco, California

International Kunstverlag,Hamburg,West Germany

Directors Guild of America, California

Yesteryear Inc.,Los Angeles, California

Corner Peripherrals, San Jose, California

Raddison Hotel, Palm Springs, California

Sheration Torrey Pines, La Jolla, California

Ocean Grand Hotel, La Jolla,California

Taipei Hilton,Taipei,Taiwan

Nikko Hotel,Sydney,Australia

Kinsella,Boesch,FujiKawa & Towle,Los Angeles,California

Jules & Co.,Costa Mesa,California

Taipei Hyatt,Taipei,Taiwan

Singapore Hyatt,Singapore

Wener Chappell Music,Los Angeles,California

Keumho Museum of Art,Seoul,Korea

Hoam Art Museum, Seoul, Korea

Art Sonje Museum,Kyoungju,Seoul,Korea

Korean Bank,Daegu,Korea

Gallery 63,Seoul,Korea

Daegu City,Daegu,Korea

Ilsin Group,Seoul,Korea

Sungkok Museum of Art, Seoul,Korea

Debec Cultural Foudation,Daegu,Korea

Sonje Museum of Art,Seoul,Korea

The South Wales Gallery,Sydney,Australia

Orange County Museum of Art, California

Arkansas Museum of Art, Arkansas

Ilmlm Museum of Art,Seoul,Korea

Philadelphia Art Museum,Pensylvania

National Art Museum of China,Beijing

 

 

생성의 신비를 여는 상상의 우주

곽훈 개인전에 부쳐....

 

임두빈

미술평론가, 단국대 교수

 

   미지(未知)의 기호들이 푸른 공간을 유영(遊泳)하며 빛을 뿌리고 있다. 폭발하듯 푸른 공간에 번져가는 장엄한 생성(生成)의 흔적들, 그 생성의 흔적 속에서 심연의 문이 열린다. 곽훈의 그림은 생성의 신비(神秘)를 간직한 상상(想像)의 우주(宇宙)다.

 

   곽훈은 미국에서 화가로서의 활동을 시작한 1980년대 초부터 우리 고유의 한국적인 정서와 사상을 뿔리로 하여 작업을 해온 사람이다. 그가 1980년에 그린 <주문呪文 INCANTATIONS>, <가마KILNS>, <찻그릇TEA BOWLS>이란 제목의 그림들과 1984년에 그린 <기氣 CHI>등을 보면, 그의 관심이 어디에 있는가를 알 수가 있다. 특히 <찻그릇>과 <기>는 그의 작품세계에서 지금까지 가장 많이 등장하고 있는 주제들이다. 그만큼 그의 작품세계를 이해하는데 중요한 요소가 될 수 있는 것이다. 한 화가가 작품의 주제를 정하는 데에는 무의식적(無意識的) 요소가 원인이 될 때도 있고, 의식적(意識的) 요소가 원인이 될 때도 있다. 때론 두 요소가 함께 작용하여 주제가 정해 질 수도 있다. 곽훈의 경우에는 무의식적 요소와 의식적 요소가 함께 작용하여 주제가 정해진 것으로 보인다.

   그가 그린 찻그릇은 한국의 막사발 형태인데, 우리가 어린 시절부터 자주 봐 왔던 그릇이다. 곽훈은 막사발을 그림으로 그리기만 한 것이 아니라, 어떤 때는 직접 만들어 수많은 그릇들을 전시장에 설치한 적도 있다. 물론 그가 만들어서 전시한 막사발은 도예가들이 만든 그릇과는 전혀 그 차원을 달리하는 독특한 사상을 담고 있는 작품들이다. (이에 대해서는 필자가 전에 쓴 곽훈에 대한 몇 편의 글에서 이미 밝힌바 있다)

   그릇이 주제로 자주 등장하는 것은 그의 어릴 적 체험에서 비롯된 무의식적 요인과 작가로서 그가 지니고 있는 사상의 한 측면에 원인이 있는 것으로 생각된다. 그런데 무엇보다도 곽훈의 작품에서 이제까지 가장 많이 등장하고 있는 주제는 <기>이다. 그는 <기>라는 주제 하에 다양한 그림을 그려오고 있다.

   기(氣)는 성리학(性理學)에서 우주적 실체(實體)를 지칭하는 심오한 명칭이다. 조선시대 철학자 성경덕에 의하면 기(氣)는 공간적으로 무한한 것으로서 어느 곳이나 가득 차 있으며, 시작된 처음도 없고 냄새도 없고 소리도 없으며, 움켜잡으면 비어 있고 붙잡으면 없는 것이다. 그러면서 실(實)한 것이니 이것을 무(無)라고 할 수는 없다. 기는 스스로 약동하고 미묘하게 서로 결합하면서 천지만물(天地萬物)을 생성 시킨다. 기는 신비로운 생명의 근원적 힘인 것이다.

 

   곽훈의 작품은 바로 <기 CHI>의 불가사의(不可思議)한 힘으로 가득 찬 우주의 신비를 그리고 있다. 그래서 그가 그리는 <기>를 주제로 한 그림들은 거의 전부 화면이 미묘하고 다양한 색의 울림으로 가득 차 있다. 화면에 그는 수없이 색을 칠하고 긁어내고 문지르고 다시 칠하면서 차갑고 무표정한 캔버스에 충만한 회화적 에너지와 깊이감을 부여하고 있는 것이다. 선(線)과 면(面)의 다양한 흔적들이 자연스럽게 숨 쉬고 있는 그의 화면은 독특한 곽훈 회화 양식의 격조 있는 결정체다. 그의 화면에서 우리는 그 어떤 구체적인 사물의 이미지도 발견 할 수 없지만, 신기하게 그의 화면은 차갑거나 공허한 장식적 추상화로 머물러 있지 않고, 끊임없이 미묘하게 일렁이며 깊이모를 회화적 에너지를 방출하고 있다. 마치 대우주에 충만한 기(氣)가 미묘하고 불가사의한 움직임의 조화에 의해 황홀하고 장엄하며 신비로운 세계상(世界像)을 전개하듯, 곽훈의 화면에 빠져들다 보면 정신이 접신(接神)이라도 한 것처럼 매혹적이고 끝없이 상상의 우주로 우리를 휘감아 가는 것이다.

   이번에 전시하는 2007년 이후에 그려진 작품들을 보면, 곽훈 회화의 또 다른 변화를 감지하게 된다. 푸른 색조의 화면에 크거나 작은 기호들이 다양하게 등장하는 작품들과, 소용돌이 모양이 화면 가득 다양한 색채와 함께 그려진 작품들, 그리고 먹물이 뿌려 진 듯한 푸른 공간에 원뿔형상이 등장하는 작품들이 그것이다.

 

   작품 몇 점을 살펴보도록 하자. <뻐꾸기 떠나간>이란 제목의 작품은 화면 바탕이 모두 푸른색으로 칠해 지고 그 위에 몇 개의 크고 작은 기호들이 등장하고 있는데, 푸른색 바탕에는 군데군데 무심히 그려진 흔적 같은 황토색 선들이 나타나 있어 화면에 조용한 울림을 머금게 하고 있다. 그리고 이와 같은 푸른 바탕 위에 마치 꽃 같기도 하고, 병 같기도 하며, 질주하는 혜성 같기도 하고, 윷 같기도 한, 수수께끼의 형상들이 기호처럼 등장하고, 이들 수수께끼의 기호들을 시각적으로 통일 시켜주는 흰색의 긴 자유곡선이 화면 전체에 유연하고 크게 그려져 있다.

이러한 수수께끼의 형상들은 <기>라는 제목의 또 다른 그림에서도 등장한다. 이 작품 역시 푸른 바탕에 꽃과 같은 형상과 쓰러진 돌기둥 같은 형상, 그리고 원색의 기하학적 문양이 등장하고 있다.

또한 2007년에 그린 소용돌이무늬가 크게 그려져 있고, 소용돌이의 중심에는 돌고 있는 팽이 같은 거꾸로 선 원뿔 형상이 배치되어 마치 팽이가 움직이며 주변도 함께 회전 하는 듯한 느낌을 주는 그림이다. 실제로 곽훈은 원뿔 형상을 회전하는 팽이에서 영감을 얻어 그려 넣었다고 한다. 그는 회전하는 원뿔을 대우주의 운행 원리를 상징하여 그려 넣은 것이다. 소용돌이 무늬 역시 끊임없이 움직이며 만물을 생성시키고 파괴하는 대우주 순환의 역동적 모습을 암시한다. 그래서 소용돌이무늬에는 때때로 다양한 원색의 불규칙한 색선(色線)이나 색점(色點)들이 등장하기도 하고, 소용돌이무늬 아래 화면의 하단에는 달이나, 꽃이나, 미지의 사물과 같은 수수께끼의 형상이 등장하기도 한다. 그리고 이러한 요소들이 모두 어울려 연출해내는 화면 효과는 아름답고 매혹적이다. 화가 곽훈은 대우주(大宇宙)의 장엄하고 역동적인 모습을 ‘아름다움’ 그 자체로 조망하고 있는 것이다.

 

   곽훈은 끊임없이 새로운 창조적 가능성을 찾아 도전하고 있는 예술가다. 그래서 그의 그림은 끊임없이 변모된 모습을 보이며 그를 주시하는 모든 사람들에게 행복한 상상의 지평을 열어보여 주고 있다.

   ‘생성의 신비를 여는 상상의 우주’곽훈의 그림이 보여주는 영원한 비젼이다.

 

 

 

 

 

An Imaginarty Universe

Unlocks the Mystery of Creation

for Hoon Kwak's solo exhibition

 

 

Im, Du Bin

Act Critic,

Professor at Dangook University

 

   Strange symbols swim in blue space, scattering light. Majestic traces of creation burst over the blue space. Within those traces, the doors of the abyss are opening. Hoon Kwak's painting is the imaginary universe that holds the mystery of creation.

 

   Since Hoon Kwak's painting in America began in the early 1980's, he has rooted his work in indigenous Korean thinking and sentiment. If we look at his Incantations, Kilns, and Tea Bowls of 1980 and his chi of 1984 we can see where his interests lie. Tea Bowls and Chi in particular are of themes that have appeared the most in his works, so much that they have become important elements in understanding his works. When a painter decides on his subject, at times it is determined by unconscious factors and other times by conscious factors. Sometimes the subject is decided upon as the two work together. In the case of Hoon Kwak, his subjects appear to be determined as unconscious and conscious factors work together.

   His tea bowl is in the shape of an ordinary Korean bowl, which we have often seen since our childhood days. Hoon Kwak did not merely draw a Korean bowl, but made numerous bowls himself and has installed them for an exhibit. Undoubtedly, his bowls differ completely from those of potters, as they are works of art representing his unique idea. (On this point I have written several times in regard to the work of Hoon Kwak.)

   I believe his frequent use of the bowl as a subject comes out of an unconscious factor that began during his childhood experience, and from one aspect of his ideas as an artist. However, the theme that has appeared the most in his works until now is that of Chi. He has made various drawings within this theme.

   "Chi" is a profound term in Neo-Confucianism referring to "cosmic substance." According to the philosopher Seo Gyeong Deok of the Joseon Dynasty, "chi" is a substance not limited by space but fills every place, and it does not have a beginning or an end but is infinite and permanent. It has no shape, smell or sound, and cannot be grabbed at or held. Because it is a substance, one cannot say it is nonexistent. Moving around by itself and subtly combining with other "chi," it is what creates the universe. "Chi" is the basic, mysterious force behind life.

 

   Hoon Kwak's works represent the mystery of the universe that is filled with the incomprehensible force of "chi." Therefore, in his works entitled Chi nearly the entire canvas is filled with the vibration of many subtle colors. By painting numerous colors on the surface and scratching, rubbing, and painting again, he fills the cold, blank canvas with artistic energy and depth. The surface, where various traces of lines and facades breathe naturally, is the refined crystallization of Hoon Kawak's painting style. Though we are unable to find any detailed images of objects in his work, amazingly it does not remain a cold or empty abstract painting, but continuously sways, releasing artistic energy of immeasurable depth. As the "chi" that fills the universe is subtle and its magnificence relies on the harmony of its incomprehensible movement, and like the unfolding of a majestic and mysterious picture of the world, looking deeply into Hoon Kwak's painting is like being entranced, entwined into a world of endless imagination.

   Looking at his post-2007 works in this exhibit, one can perceive more changes in Hoon Kwak's painting. Large and small symbols appear in various ways on canvases in shades of blue, swirling shapes fill canvases with various colors, and cone shapes appear on blue canvases that look like they had been sprayed with ink.

   Let us examine a few pieces. In Cuckoo Gone, the entire canvas is colored blue and on it appear several large and small symbols, while red clay colored lines are carelessly drawn here and there, Keeping a quiet vibration on the canvas. And on such a blue background as this the resemble a flower, a bottle, a racing comet, or a "yut"(wooden stick used in the traditional Korean game "yutnori"), puzzling forms that appear like symbols, and a long, free-form curved line flows around the entire canvas, giving visual unity to these puzzling symbols.

   These puzzling forms also appear in another piece entitled Chi. This piece also has a blue background, with a flower-like form and a form resembling a fallen stone pillar, and a geometric pattern of primary colors.

   The 2007 piece in which a swirling pattern fills the canvas also shows new changes. The swirling pattern is large, with an upside down cone-shaped form placed at the center like a spinning top, giving the feeling as if the surrounding area is revolving with the spinning top. The revolving cone was drawn to symbolize the principle of the revolving of the universe. As the swirling pattern moves continuously, it alludes to the dynamic image of the cycling of the universe in which all things are created and destroyed. Therefore, at times irregular lines and dots in primary colors appear in the swirling pattern, while beneath it at the bottom of the canvas are a moon, flower, and other puzzling forms. The effect created by these elements together is beautiful and enchanting. The artist Hoon Kwak views the magnificent and dynamic image of the universe as beauty itself.

 

   Hoon Kwak continuously searches for and takes on new creative possibilities. Therefore, his paintings continuously show transformation, opening up a way to a blissful imagination for all those whose eyes are on him.

   An Imaginary Universe Unlocks the Mystery of Creation is the lasting vision of Hoon Kwak's work.