Holy Scriptures in Paintings

Painter Chang shows possibility for new genre of holy painting mixing Korean, Western style

"A frame of holy painting makes your mind at ease,"said a theme of the paint work display entitled, "Good News"staged by painter Chang Woo-soon April 7-18 at the St. John Cathedral in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province.
The holy paint works displayed to some 7,000 members of the cathedral included pieces entitled,"he Last Supper," "peter, throw your fishing net in deeper water" "holy Spirit"and others, totaling 36 pieces altogether, all with the theme of tracing the last steps of Jesus Christ to save mankind in their motives.
The work impressed many members of the church who came to view them, especially with the painter's new technique, which used three dimensional method over the traditional Korean painting. Painter Chang tries to express her belief in God in her passionate holy paintings, and tries to deliver the messages of God to the believers and the work shows the possibility for a new holy painting genre,
giving up comfortable and settled minds to church followers to lead more faithful religious lives.
The work of painter Chang's would be worth more if they are placed in public places like hospitals and other public facilities or individual homes to better help peace of mind and purifying the sensuality.
Chang plans to hold a joint display of her work from May 21-23 with the Catholic chorus group to present a harmony of art and music for the second time. Archbishop Chung of Seoul Diocese will attend the exhibition, which will have a special worship session presided over by Father Choe, who works for Peace Broadcasting. He also teaches at Catholic University.
Painter Chang Woo-soon's paintings are full of Christian messages as she interprets Bible scriptures into her paintings. She interprets Bible quotations in such a way they appeal to modern senses as they look so familiar. She, however, sublimates her absolute faith into her art. She also allows us to see a story of heaven that is full of love and joy, which are her sincere wishes.
It seems her art involves 'religious'rhythms and multiple aspects of self-reflection's As suggested from her note, she substitutes her work for images of heaven and love message of the absolute being that she cherished in her heart for a long time.
Her recent work has changed greatly. Most of all, background material changed whereas the main motive is the same. She uses Jangi (thick, durable Korean rice paper) that four layers of Korean papers are papered over. This might be why her work gives neutral impression in which Western and Eastern background materials are mixed. The same thing happens in her use of colors. She repeats a process where she pours or paints Bunchae (mixed glace) in the background, esquisses desired images, puts Bansu (glue and alum mixture in water), and drips colors as she wishes. In the last step of the process when canvas is dry, images are cut or tear-off to emboss subject, then the work is complete.
The images come from scriptural phases, of course, and a paragraph "Rend your heart, not your garments"takes a central role.
Chang held four solo exhibitions including one at Art Seoul at Seoul Arts Center last year and Insa Gallery in Seoul in 2003. Her artwork were displayed in over 30 group exhibitions both at home and abroad including the Korea-Germany Art Exchange Exhibition at Frankfurt Gallery in Frankfurt, Germany, the Korean Art Exhibition at Sejong Performing Art Center in Seoul, and the Invitation Art Exhibition at Lotte Gallery in Seoul. She is a graduate of Baeksok Arts College in 1983 and studied design at Hongik University in 1985. nw

Painter Chang Woo-soon & NewsWorld President Elizabeth M. Oh

The Lord's Supper; 162.7 x 130.2 cm;Korean paper and dye powder; 2006

Throw fishing net where water is deep; 72.8 x 61.2 cm;Dye powder on Korean paper; 2006.

Holy Spirit; 72.8 x 61.2 cm;Oil on canvas; 2002.