"My father replenished his energy in the garden while painting in his later years. He would sit there quietly." (Park Seung-ho, Chairman of the Park Seo-bo Foundation)
The Park Seo-bo Museum, located at the entrance of a quiet alley in Yeonhui-dong, reflects this sentiment. Instead of filling the space with artworks, it opens up to nature. The small museum, covering approximately 230 pyeong, features clear windows that invite in the greenery of the mountains, the red bricks of neighboring houses, and bright light. Just as the late artist Park Seo-bo (1931–2023) drew strength from his garden, his museum is infused with the energy of nature.
Ahead of its opening on the 21st, the Park Seo-bo Museum, visited on the 18th, harmonizes with the subtle scenery of Yeonhui-dong. The blue exterior, reminiscent of the sea and sky, blends with the surrounding trees and blue tiles, while the distant Ansan forest adds to the ambiance. Through the clear windows, old red brick houses, gray villas, and low buildings come into view, transforming the ordinary neighborhood landscape into a picturesque scene.
The museum is situated next to the studio where Park Seo-bo lived and worked in Yeonhui-dong. Designed by Professor Choi Moon-kyu of Yonsei University, it spans two basement levels and three above-ground floors, with a total area of about 2,000 square meters. It includes three exhibition halls and an outdoor garden.
The museum encapsulates Park Seo-bo's artistic vision and his perspective on nature. Visitors unfamiliar with his work need not worry; the opening exhibition, "Park Seo-bo and Huong Do Dinh: The Fullness of Emptiness," features 25 pieces that indirectly convey his artistic essence.
The exhibition transitions from black hanji techniques to colored hanji methods, culminating in his later works that resemble clear water infused with light. The small garden, filled with stones, moss, and native plants, seems to bloom from the earthy tones and dark hues found in Park Seo-bo's artworks. The vibrant red (Technique No. 100915) evokes anticipation for the upcoming autumn in Yeonhui-dong, while the grayish-white (Technique No. 230127) leads to the natural source of light or winter. As the artist once said, "When you put your hand in and press, it keeps going infinitely; that is nature," the infinite nature continues to unfold.
As Huong Do Dinh noted, "There must be space to create together for something new to emerge," her 17 works are also seamlessly integrated into the museum.
Chairman Park Seung-ho recalled, "The overseas artist Huong Do Dinh met my father three months before he passed away. Although they could not communicate verbally, they exchanged ideas about their works and worldviews for about three hours."
The selection of artists also reflects a commitment to uncovering underrepresented female artists. Chairman Park stated, "In this era of significant change, what the foundation can do, and what can be resolved more easily, is to change perspectives. I want to focus on elevating female artists who have not received much attention in the art world or have struggled to break through the glass ceiling."
The museum will be open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is 5,000 won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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