Park Seo-Bo
Park Seo-Bo emerges as a pivotal force in Korean contemporary art, pioneering the Dansaekhwa movement in the 1970s. This distinctive artistic approach masterfully bridges Korean artistic traditions with Western abstract elements, creating a unique visual language that resonates globally. The Dansaekhwa movement, while lacking a formal manifesto, is characterized by: • Refined color palettes (predominantly white, beige, and black) • Emphasis on material qualities • Systematic, meditative processes • Deep connection to traditional Korean aesthetics Park's artistic evolution is particularly noteworthy. His early work showed strong influences from Art Informel, the European parallel to American Abstract Expressionism. As a founding member of the Hyun-Dae Artists Association in 1957, he initially embraced these Western approaches to process the collective trauma of post-war Korea. A UNESCO scholarship in 1961 deepened his understanding of European artistic movements, evident in his early 1960s Primordialis series.
However, Park's artistic journey led him to transcend Western influences, embracing Oriental philosophy and developing his distinctive style. This transformation marked a significant shift in Korean contemporary art. His work has been celebrated in prestigious institutions worldwide: • Château La Coste, France • National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul • Guggenheim Museums (New York and Abu Dhabi) • Museum of Modern Art, New York • M+, Hong Kong • Tate Liverpool, UK