Financier-Turned-Artist Displays Ink Work
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
``Hwajohwa,'' or depictions of flowers and birds, are pervasive in traditional Oriental paintings. But a financier-turned-artist invites viewers into a world that is modern rather than obsolete.
Ahn Chang-soo, a newly budding artist at the age of 64, will share his poetic observation of nature in a solo exhibition in Seoul this week.
The artist was born in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province. He worked as a financial specialist before entering the arts scene in his 60s. He studied calligraphy in Hangzhou, China, Indian ink painting in Kyoto, Japan, and finally returned to his hometown for the first time in 45 years to concentrate on the latter, which he calls his ``childhood friend.''
Ahn calls painting a process of ``sharing'' as well as a search for self, particularly following the long period of separation from art, or his childhood friend, during his stint as a financier in the mundane world.
In his exhibition he will share various hwajohwa, featuring flowers, trees and animals. Unlike traditional Indian ink works, which are marked by a serene sense of minimalism, his paintings boast dynamic compositions and full, bursting colors. ``Sunflowers,'' for example, almost evokes Vincent van Gogh.
Art critic Kim Sang-cheol said that Ahn is unique because he is faithful to traditional methods of aestheticism and figurative arts while foraying into realms of modernity. In short, his paintings reflect styles that are prevalent in Chinese Indian ink works ― probably due to his sojourn in China ― but ``are also vivid and clear in that he tried to express modernism through sensual touches of brushes.'' He borrowed color palettes from Western art, not limiting himself to classical regulations of conventional hwajohwa.
``What is interesting among (his styles) is speedy expression by fast touches of brushes,'' said Kim. The ``bold and decisive'' brush strokes, moreover, ``reflect a certain feeling of speed instead of heavy, dull and slow traditional methods of touches of brushes'' and reflect his character.
Ahn is a newly emerging artist so it may be too early to say that his work perfectly reflects his art world or that his accomplishments are prominent, said the critic. ``But I look forward to a spurt and the future accomplishments of the artist.''
The painter is currently the honorary director of the Chinese Artist Association and a member of the All Japanese Indian Ink Artists Association.
The exhibition will open Tuesday through Nov. 23 at Seoul Art Gallery, Insa-dong. The gallery is located near exit 6 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. Call (02) 732-3314.