Opie Finds Realism in Minimalist Figures

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Staff Reporter

In British artist Julian Opie's artwork, human figures are depicted in minimalist forms. It's just a circle for the head and few curvy lines for the body.

Opie says his art is not about depicting humans realistically, but about finding a realistic quality. ``My main aim to find some realistic quality, not photographic detail. It's about how you feel in the world. When people ask why am I only using a circle for a head. When I view a crowd, I don't take in the details. You are a circle. I see a bag, glasses, or long hair. This is the discussion of realism I'm talking about, not photographic realism,'' he told reporters, Monday, at the Kukje Gallery New Space, downtown Seoul.

Opie, known for his use of computerized images, is holding his first solo show in Seoul. Opie was born in London, raised in Oxford and graduated from Goldsmiths College. For over 10 years, he has been drawing these minimalist human images, which stemmed from a conscious attempt to find an artistic language that allowed him to depict humans.

``I found the universal symbols for man and woman. I took the symbols and tried to superimpose it on a photograph of a friend. I pulled and pushed the two things until they met somewhere in the middle. It was 10 years ago and the language continues to develop... In the very latest works, I hope to have captured to a much greater degree of movement and personality while retaining the language,'' he said.