Photojournalist Joo captures Zen in nature
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Joo Ki-joong’s “Island” (2012) / Courtesy of Joo Ki-joong
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Joo Ki-joong, one of Korea’s top photojournalists, is holding a solo exhibit at Gallery Illum in downtown Seoul.
Titled "Incubator of Nature,” the exhibit mainly features landscape photography. Joo simplifies the lines and colors of nature, transforming landscapes into almost abstract images.
He has been taking news photos for over 30 years, but this is Joo's first fine art photography exhibit.
His landscape photos display natural scenery, but they are composed of lines and colors, creating a new dimension in the photos. He captures the contrast of light and dark and the soft curves of nature in an affectionate way, portraying nature and civilization as alike.
As the theme indicates, Joo has an Oriental perspective on nature, believing that nature embraces creatures like a huge incubator. He approaches the concept of the incubator, or “egg,” as a metaphor to the origin of everything.
Joo believes that photography is the best medium to make the world better and heal traumas. "Photography is an art and a way to pursue happiness at the same time," he said.
He spent over 30 years as a photojournalist at JoongAng Ilbo, including serving as head of the photo department, news video department and multimedia department. Currently he serves as the photo director for the newspaper's Sisa Magazine.
He also strives to promote the popularization of photography by organizing a photographers' group of both professionals and amateurs on Facebook and holding group exhibitions.
The exhibit runs until Jan. 13. For more information, visit www.galleryillum.co.kr or call (02) 2263-0405.