Sayart.net - Barley as the Seed of Life: Songgye Park Young Dae’s Vibrant Artistic Journey at Sejong Museum Gallery

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Barley as the Seed of Life: Songgye Park Young Dae’s Vibrant Artistic Journey at Sejong Museum Gallery

Jason Yim / Published November 6, 2024 08:58 PM
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The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Sejong Museum

Sejong University’s Sejong Museum Gallery is hosting a special exhibition titled Barley, Seed of Life – Songgye Park Young Dae Invitational Exhibition, running from November 6 to November 17, 2024. Known as the “Barley Painter,” Park Young Dae is a celebrated veteran artist from Chungcheongbuk-do whose unique works delve into the vital essence of barley as a source of life and creative energy. His art reflects a lifetime of experimentation and innovation, blending elements of both Eastern and Western materials, techniques, and artistic traditions.

Barley serves as a central motif and powerful symbol in Park’s works, embodying vitality, resilience, and the natural cycle of life. His pieces span various artistic expressions, from traditional ink and color pigments to bold experiments with abstraction and realism. Park’s dedication to exploring the essence of life through barley manifests in a dynamic collection that invites viewers to ponder the innate beauty and movement found in nature.


The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Sejong Museum

The current exhibition features approximately 30 of Park’s notable barley-themed paintings, each echoing life’s energy through rhythmic strokes and vibrant compositions. These works are intended to bring a sense of movement and life to the viewer, capturing the cyclical vitality of nature in a manner that speaks to both the heart and mind.

Visitors will encounter a spectrum of Park’s works that reflect his passion for incorporating elements from both Korean folk art and sophisticated abstractions. In each piece, Park’s fascination with the natural world and his mastery of diverse artistic methods are evident, with barley serving as both a literal and metaphorical seed, representing growth and renewal.


The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Sejong Museum

Songgye Park Young Dae has gained acclaim for his focus on barley, a symbol with deep roots in Korean culture. His innovative approach positions barley as a universal emblem of life’s resilience. In doing so, Park bridges tradition with modernity, inviting viewers into a world where organic forms and vibrant colors harmonize.

Housed in Sejong University’s AI Center, Gallery 1 offers a serene setting that complements Park’s exploration of the natural world. The exhibition is free of charge and open to the public daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing ample opportunity for art enthusiasts and the general public alike to engage with the artist’s works.


The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Sejong Museum

Sejong Museum Gallery encourages viewers to immerse themselves in this deeply reflective and celebratory exhibition, experiencing the harmony and energy that barley, as seen through Park’s artistic vision, brings to life.

The gallery’s representatives anticipate that the exhibition will resonate with the public, creating a meditative space where viewers can explore themes of growth, resilience, and renewal. Through Park Young Dae’s perspective, barley transcends its agricultural significance, emerging as a timeless symbol of life’s interconnected cycles.


Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com

The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Sejong Museum

Sejong University’s Sejong Museum Gallery is hosting a special exhibition titled Barley, Seed of Life – Songgye Park Young Dae Invitational Exhibition, running from November 6 to November 17, 2024. Known as the “Barley Painter,” Park Young Dae is a celebrated veteran artist from Chungcheongbuk-do whose unique works delve into the vital essence of barley as a source of life and creative energy. His art reflects a lifetime of experimentation and innovation, blending elements of both Eastern and Western materials, techniques, and artistic traditions.

Barley serves as a central motif and powerful symbol in Park’s works, embodying vitality, resilience, and the natural cycle of life. His pieces span various artistic expressions, from traditional ink and color pigments to bold experiments with abstraction and realism. Park’s dedication to exploring the essence of life through barley manifests in a dynamic collection that invites viewers to ponder the innate beauty and movement found in nature.


The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Sejong Museum

The current exhibition features approximately 30 of Park’s notable barley-themed paintings, each echoing life’s energy through rhythmic strokes and vibrant compositions. These works are intended to bring a sense of movement and life to the viewer, capturing the cyclical vitality of nature in a manner that speaks to both the heart and mind.

Visitors will encounter a spectrum of Park’s works that reflect his passion for incorporating elements from both Korean folk art and sophisticated abstractions. In each piece, Park’s fascination with the natural world and his mastery of diverse artistic methods are evident, with barley serving as both a literal and metaphorical seed, representing growth and renewal.


The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Sejong Museum

Songgye Park Young Dae has gained acclaim for his focus on barley, a symbol with deep roots in Korean culture. His innovative approach positions barley as a universal emblem of life’s resilience. In doing so, Park bridges tradition with modernity, inviting viewers into a world where organic forms and vibrant colors harmonize.

Housed in Sejong University’s AI Center, Gallery 1 offers a serene setting that complements Park’s exploration of the natural world. The exhibition is free of charge and open to the public daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing ample opportunity for art enthusiasts and the general public alike to engage with the artist’s works.


The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Sejong Museum

Sejong Museum Gallery encourages viewers to immerse themselves in this deeply reflective and celebratory exhibition, experiencing the harmony and energy that barley, as seen through Park’s artistic vision, brings to life.

The gallery’s representatives anticipate that the exhibition will resonate with the public, creating a meditative space where viewers can explore themes of growth, resilience, and renewal. Through Park Young Dae’s perspective, barley transcends its agricultural significance, emerging as a timeless symbol of life’s interconnected cycles.


Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com

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