Renowned Korean ink painting master Park Dae-sung has donated 830 of his lifetime works, expressing his belief against the privatization of art. When asked by Seo Jang-hoon on EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' about the reason behind donating artworks worth tens of millions, Park stated, "Art should be seen and enjoyed by many."
The episode aired on the 15th, showcasing the life and artistic journey of Park Dae-sung, a genius painter who became a master of ink painting with one arm. His story, transforming childhood pain into artistic passion, has left audiences both moved and in awe.
Park Dae-sung, who was honored with the Cultural and Artistic Development Merit in 2020, was the first Korean artist to hold a solo exhibition at LACMA, the largest art museum in the western United States. Recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential Korean artists, Park has established himself as a 'world-renowned master.' Despite losing his father and left arm in an accident at age four, he self-taught himself to become a prominent figure in the art world, achieving a record eight consecutive entries in Korea's most prestigious art competition.
Park is also known for being favored by the late Lee Kun-hee, who displayed Park's work in his office. In his 40s, Park became the first exclusive artist for a leading Korean gallery, receiving extensive support from Lee Kun-hee, which allowed him to expand his artistic vision globally. An anecdote revealed that Lee provided Park with travel expenses worth 20 million won (approximately 72 million won today). Additionally, BTS's RM is known to be a fan, frequently visiting Park's exhibitions, further cementing Park's status as a cross-generational 'art icon.'
Park's donation of 830 artworks to a museum has once again astonished the world. Seo Jang-hoon remarked, "Though it's impolite to mention the value, these works are estimated to be worth tens of millions." When asked why he chose to donate instead of selling, Park explained, "Art should be enjoyed by many rather than privatized." His preference for creating large-scale works stems from the same philosophy, as "small paintings are for individuals, but large paintings are for everyone."
The '1 billion won artwork damage incident' that once made headlines was revisited. Park chose not to hold a young visitor accountable for damaging his work, stating, "It's not worth arguing over a child," and expressed gratitude, saying, "That child is my phoenix. Who else would promote my work?" His magnanimous attitude has inspired many. Park continues to nurture future artists by offering free art lessons weekly, open to anyone who loves painting, regardless of age or gender.
The story of Park Dae-sung, 'the miracle painter with one arm who moved the world,' continues next week in part two. EBS's 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighboring Millionaire' airs every Wednesday at 9:55 PM.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr