'Ink Abstract Master' Painter Seo Seok Passes Away Due to Illness
Expressing the Spirit of Joseon Literati with Korean Painting Materials in a Modern Abstract Style
Depicting Various Aspects of Human Crowds with Minimal Lines and Dots
Sanjeong (山丁) artist Seo Se-ok passed away from a long illness on the 29th of last month at the age of 91.
The National Academy of Arts of Korea announced on the 3rd, "Due to COVID-19 prevention measures, the funeral was held as a family-only ceremony before announcing the passing."
The late artist was a master of ink wash abstraction who modernly reinterpreted traditional Korean painting. Using traditional Korean painting materials, he realized the spiritual world of Joseon literati in a modern abstract style. He was the last generation of Korean painters who could freely compose and write classical Chinese poetry.
Born in Daegu in 1929, he graduated from the Department of Painting at Seoul National University College of Fine Arts. At the age of twenty, in 1949, he debuted in the art world by winning the Prime Minister's Award at the 1st National Art Exhibition of Korea with his work "Flower Seller." In the 1960s, he formed the avant-garde artist group Mukrimhoe and pursued ink wash abstraction. From the 1970s, he presented the "People" series, expressing vitality within human forms through ink lines and blank spaces. The series includes "Person," "Two People," "Dancing People," and "People Looking Upside Down." He depicted various aspects of human crowds using minimal lines and dots.
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Becoming a professor at Seoul National University in his twenties, he nurtured many students over several decades. He also served as Dean of Seoul National University College of Fine Arts, Chairman of the National Association of Art Colleges, the inaugural President of the Korea-China Art Association, and Chairman of the Korea Fine Arts Association. Through his prolific activities, he received numerous honors including the Order of Civil Merit, Peony Medal, Ilmin Art Award, Grand Prize of the Korea Federation of Arts and Culture Organizations, Artist of the Year Award from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the National Academy of Arts Award, and the Silver Crown Cultural Medal.
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