Installation view of 《Face》 ©Gana Art Center
Gana Art presents 《Face》, a solo exhibition by Choi Jongtae, a pioneer of Korean modern
sculpture.
This exhibition focuses on the ‘Face’
series, a subject that has occupied a central place throughout the artist’s
long career. Among the figures and human body sculptures he has consistently
explored since his early years, the face stands out as a significant motif —
serving as an expression of human inner nature, a commentary on contemporary
realities, and a vehicle for formal experimentation.
Installation view of 《Face》 ©Gana Art Center
Choi has remarked that, rather than
treating the face as merely a part of the body, he strives to complete it as a
fully autonomous sculptural form, and that he remains in the midst of this
ongoing pursuit. Over the course of this journey, the ‘Face’ series has shown
numerous variations in both material and form, giving rise to a wide range of
interpretations.
Installation view of 《Face》 ©Gana Art Center
Across more than half a century of his
facial sculptures, the overarching theme that runs through his work is
“humanity.” Choi does not work from specific models; most of his faces are
created from the artist’s inner vision.
He once stated, “The faces I create differ
greatly from real faces. What I wish to depict are good people, kind people,
and admirable people.” Believing that an inherent goodness exists within human
beings, Choi aspires for his sculptures to embody a higher state of this
goodness, and he continues his practice in pursuit of that ideal.
