Daecho Park creates portraits of children affected by the trials of life yet at one with nature. In other words, he expresses that nature which although belabored by its steep climb through life, can maintain the innocence found in children. But, while they appear innocent enough, these children ... Read more
Daecho Park creates portraits of children affected by the trials of life yet at one with nature. In other words, he expresses that nature which although belabored by its steep climb through life, can maintain the innocence found in children. But, while they appear innocent enough, these children bear the mark of desolation, loss and pain that can often be glimpsed in their eyes. Park believes that our nature is damaged by social and personal irrational desires.
His portrayed sitters are metaphors of an existential moment during which they question not only the foundations of their lives but also, its meaning. This idea is prevalent in Buddhism as well, and embraces the idea that our objective world is only illusory and that we will suffer our humanity until we learn to let go of our earthly desires. Indeed, Park grew up with Buddhist tenets in his proximity and furthermore, he has incorporated them into his Taoist beliefs that emphasize the rule of being at one with nature. His artworks as well as his written essays stem from these two religious philosophies in synchrony. Park has accomplished serious work on Lao Tzu and Chuang-tzu who believed that one must live with respect to nature. For Park this is not some antediluvian throw back to religion, but arises out of real concern for the environment and is revived as a viable philosophy to place emphasis on the benefits of a nature in harmony. The destruction of the ozone layer by air pollution, water and soil contamination, or nuclear waste would have been unimaginable to Park’s ancestors.
