Page 48 - PHOTODOT 2017년 9월호 VOL.46 Sept

Water Color 01.archival inkjet print.100x100cm.2006
procedure. I would first collect the frames. Most of them are mirror
stands but I still find different types of mirrored dressers and doors
decorated with mother-of-pearls. I collect a variety of mother-of-pearl
furniture by traveling throughout the country. I get the 'joy of hunting'
and pleasure that I have not felt for a while in my profession when I
find them with outstanding designs and patterns. I either select and
put one of the existing photographs or take a new picture that would
suit the image of the frame that I collected. I work with both the black-
and-white and color photographs in parallel because the design and
the pattern of mother-of-pearls individually varies.
<Mother-of-Pearl> is unique in the frame of the work. In this
work, the mother - of - pearl frame enhances what is expressed
in the photograph, while it is a morphology that separates
something from the photograph. Through the frame, it seems
to be possible to newly recognize the work or to have another
notion. Is there any reason to use the "mother-of-pearl frame"
that is physically partitioned in particular?
The patterns of mother-of-pearl frames used in <Mother-of-Pearl>
long after I moved into this workshop when I found a mother-of-pearl mainly have the meanings for wishing life-longevity and happiness. In
dresser that my neighbor wanted to throw away. The craftsmanship general, it consists of abstract patterns that originated for seeking the
and its quality of the mother-of-pearl were still too good to be thrown happiness or being blessed. Some frames I found are 60 to 70 years
out. I did not care too much about mother-of-pearl dresser when I old, or, at least, 30 years old even though it is considered to be made
was younger. I thought they were inelegant and childish like. It was not in recent. In this work, I portioned the emphasis of the frames up to
until I grew older that those furnitures started to attract my interest and 60-70%. What I mainly did was find a frame and then select a photo
found myself attached to it. Then, I found an abandoned mother-of- that matches and merge them into one. For this reason, even though
pearl, mirrored dresser in the street. The drawer and the mirror were I am credited for the creator, I still think it is a collaborating work with
dismantled. I thought the design of mother-of-pearl on the mirror unknown artisan of lacquerware who lived decades ago. The old and
frame was still very good and placed it on the side of my workshop. As handmade mother-of-pearl frames are different in shapes, colors, and
I continue to look at it, coming in and out of the workshop, it prompted designs. So every single one is unique. In the case of folk paintings, it
me to put my picture inside of the frame, replacing the mirror. The has not been properly treated for a long time but recently it starts to be
<Mother-of-Pearl> series was created from Ganghwa-do workshop, well recognized as an art, attracting attention from foreign countries.
where the old tradition was relatively well preserved, that lead me to the On the other hand, the pattern of Korean lacquerware is high enough
interest of Korean traditional beauties. to boast worldwide, but it is unfortunately known very little. Through
What was the course of work process for your <Mother-of- this work, I hope that the proud Korean lacquer culture of Korea will
Pearl>? have an opportunity to be more recognized.
Generally, it is a common practice to make photographs first and The <Mother-of-Pearl> frame method is a completely different
then decide its frame later. However, I make the selection of the way of working from the normal photography. It is a unique way
frame first and, in accordance with its design and pattern, choose the in which the frame is selected first and the picture is decided
photograph. So, the work of <Mother-of-Pearl> has reversed working according to the frame. What does this change mean?

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