Trace of existence No.10 Painting

Surrealism, Abstract artist Based in South Korea Artist’s Statement My work begins with contemplation—constantly thinking and questioning the nature of existence. Among the countless beings that make up the world, I focus on human existence, or Dasein, and explore what it means to live as the most ideal version of oneself. That is why my work, from start to finish, is rooted in thinking and being. The ideal form of existence is based on existentialist Dasein: turning inward to seek answers, contemplating deeply rather than blaming external forces, and continuously striving for growth through phenomenological thought. More than anything, sincerity and a sense of direction—having a purpose in life—are what define the ideal existence to me. I needed a purpose to survive, to live. I have pushed forward, focusing only on that purpose, striving to bring ideals into reality, breaking free from my present circumstances. At one point, I believed this was natural, even inevitable. But as I navigated relationships within society, I realized that not everyone sees it this way. Many simply let time carry them forward. More often than not, people abandon their ideals because of reality. They blame others. They blame society. Now, for many, giving up on ideals to continue living has become more natural than chasing them in order to survive. So, after discarding everything, what do they live for? In this irony, what do today’s Dasein, who have let go of the future, look toward? And how do those who still burn with dreams within the gray city manifest their existence? This question forms the core of my artistic philosophy. Through my work, I depict the internal and external states of Dasein who still dream of something beyond the present. I capture the lives they lead—not just as artistic subjects but as beings in themselves. By layering various materials, I give time a tangible presence in my work. These layers of time do not follow a simple past-present-future structure. Instead, they unfold as deep past – past – present. In this way, each piece is not just an artwork but a presence—existing in the here and now, living within reality.