As autumn deepens, YZHQ GALLERY presents the second exhibition of November, featuring artist Jung Yusun's "Cultivation of the Heart." In a rapidly changing and evolving modern society, the artist embodies the "aesthetics of slowness" through her life and work. Rather than merely producing art, she observes the cyclical growth of the plants and translates this onto the canvas. Her approach to life and the process of completing her artwork shows long patience and her unique methods. Through sincere self-reflection and the labor of countless brush strokes over a long period, one cannot help but be drawn into the depth of her pieces. We invite you to enjoy the time spent engaging with the artist¡¯s work, which compels introspection.
-Artist's Note-
Over a decade ago, my mother prepared a mass of bulbs, dreaming of a garden filled with daffodils and tulips. Every autumn since, she has planted various bulbs, eagerly awaiting spring. Perhaps that¡¯s why late autumn has become my season for planting bulbs.
As winter passes and the warmth of early spring arrives, the buds of the bulbs emerge from the softened earth, unfurling green leaves and eventually forming flower buds. During this time, I carefully pull weeds to ensure that the nutrients from the soil reach the bulbs, checking that there¡¯s sufficient sunlight, that birds aren¡¯t pecking at them, and that water doesn¡¯t pool and rot them. When I tend to the plants with attention, they respond with beautiful blossoms. The once-vibrant flowers slowly wither, returning to the earth where life began. Governing the cycle of life and death in plants, the bulbs endure the harsh winter cold to prepare for the birth of new life.
Though invisible, the small bulbs hidden deep in the ground form the foundation of the plant ecosystem. Whether it¡¯s the moment they sprout, when flower buds ripen, or when they attract attention with their colorful appearance, they steadfastly maintain their roots and place, ensuring that they do not lose their life force, regardless of their state.
What bulb within our heart makes us who we are, regardless of our circumstances? Are we diligently cultivating this heart bulb so that it can take root and gradually raise its flower buds? Are we using the cold of winter as a time for accumulation and inner growth, preparing for further maturity? Are we carefully nurturing the roots deep within to prevent them from rotting? The plants in the garden pose many questions about our attitudes toward life.
On a quiet night when I return home after finishing my work, I notice the reflection of the garden¡¯s flowers illuminated by the moonlight through the darkness. The midnight flowers, even in the stillness of a rarely visited hour, spread a gentle fragrance and remain true to the continuous flow of life. Even when everyone sleeps, the journey of life quietly continues.
They instill a resolve to remain steadfast and committed to the life given to us.