Reminiscence: Bo Kyung Woo
Paris Koh Fine Arts (201 Bridge Plaza North, Suite 1, Fort Lee, NJ), pleased to present a solo exhibition “Bo Kyung Woo: Reminiscence”. This show will run from Mar. 4 - 29, 2024 with an opening reception on Thursday, Mar. 7th from 6-8 pm.
The journey and passion for Korean folk painting by New Jersey-based artist Bo Kyung Woo, who received her BFA and MS from Pratt University in New York, is truly inspiring. It's evident that her connection to Korea and its cultural heritage runs deep, and Woo’s dedication to preserving and celebrating it through her art is commendable.
Folk paintings indeed carry a profound sense of authenticity and sincerity, reflecting the hopes, dreams, and everyday lives of ordinary people throughout history. Despite being marginalized in the past, these paintings have endured as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Korean culture. Just as Korean women make patchwork out of scraps of fabric, artist Bo Kyung Woo collects the filter paper left from brewing coffee to create works of art, beautifully demonstrating the resourcefulness and creativity inherent in traditional practices through the artist's method. Through Woo’s work, artist not only express her own longing for Korea but also spread joy and happiness to others—a noble endeavor that transcends borders and cultures.
Bo Kyung Woo’s artistic journey may continue to flourish, weaving together the threads of tradition and innovation to create arts truly meaningful and inspiring.
우보경 개인전: 옛향기
3월 4일 – 29일, 2024년
오프닝 립셉션: 3월7일 목요일 저녁 6-8시
뉴욕 Pratt 대학에서 BFA 와 MS를 받고 뉴져지를 기반으로 활동하는 우보경 작가의 민화를 향한 여정과 열정은 정말 감동적이다. 예술을 통해 한국과 한국의 문화유산을 보존하고 기념하려는 우작가의 헌신은 칭찬 받을만하다. 민화에는 역사 속 평범한 사람들의 희망과 꿈, 일상이 고스란히 담겨 있어 깊은 진정성과 진실성을 담고 있다. 과거에 양반 계층에게 소외당했음에도 불구하고 이 그림들은 한국 문화의 회복력과 창의성을 보여주는 증거로서 지속되어 왔다.
옛한국 여성들이 짜투리 천 조각으로 패치워크를 만든 것과 마찬가지로 우보경 작가는 커피를 내리고 난 여과지를 수집하여 예술 작품을 만들어 전통 관행에 내재된 지혜와 창의성을 아름답게 보여준다. 작품을 통해 한국에 대한 그리움을 표현할 뿐만 아니라 다른 사람들에게 기쁨과 행복을 전하는 우보경 작가의 숭고한 노력은 국경과 문화를 초월한다.
우보경 작가의 예술적 여정이 계속 번성하여 전통과 혁신의 실타래를 엮어 지속적으로 정말로 의미 있고 영감을 주는 작품들을 보여줄수 있기를 바란다.
Artist Statement
It has been almost 30 years since I became interested in folk paintings and started creating works. As a Korean who has lived abroad for a long time, I think it is only natural to miss Korea and pursue its style and taste. As the years go by, I become more fascinated by folk paintings that are living, breathing part of our unique culture. In the past, during the Joseon Dynasty, many people considered Chinese culture to be authentic, and today, it cannot be denied that there is a widespread trend that Western culture is considered superior to Eastern culture. Korean folk paintings are paintings produced by common people for centuries without being influenced by foreign or high culture. Just as women were discriminated against in Confucian society, folk paintings were also treated as unrefined and vulgar paintings by the upper ruling class of society. However, folk paintings convey hope and contain the wishes of ordinary, simple people without pretense. Just as Korean women in the past made patchwork by collecting scraps of fabric from their rooms and stitching them together with stitches, I also collect coffee-infused filter paper every morning and draw the subject matter of folk paintings that constantly come to mind. Wishing happiness to everyone, including myself….
EDUCATION
1988 M.S., Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
1984 B.F.A., Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
1980 B.F.A., Kook Min University, Seoul, Korea
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021 Full Moon, KCC Gallery, Tenafly, NJ
2011 Englewood Public Library, Englewood, NJ
2010 Tenafly Public Library, Tenafly, NJ
Old Tappan Public Library, Old Tappan, NJ
2009 The Norwood Public Library, Norwood, NJ
1997 The Showcase Gallery, Teaneck, NJ