Artist Choi Bong-jun delivers charm of Busan Harbor through the canvas

▲ Artist Choi Bong-jun

Artist Choi Bong-jun is most famous for his works themed on 'Busan Harbor'. He tends to focus on one thing only and this made him create this masterpiece works that deliver the vitality and dynamism of Busan Harbor through thick touch of the brush and color. 

The harbor appears in various colors and forms with ships and boats busy the harbor. What we might find through this is his love of the harbor and the city expressed by his unique formative language on canvas. 

He was born in Gyeongju City and spent his years until high school. Realizing his talent in art, he made his path to Seorabeol Art College in western painting. He then moved to Busan as an art teacher at Haedong Middle and High Schools and the city became his second home ever since.

"I actually visited the city before and climbed Yongdusan Mountain Park with my friend. The scenery of the harbor and Oryukdo Islands from the mountain left me a great impression. Then I was appointed as an art teacher in Busan after years and I felt that it a sign of my natural attachment to the city" Choi remembers back.

His works on Busan Harbor created a sensation when first hung at the exhibition held by the Gyeongju Branch of Korea Fine Arts Association. 

Art critic Kang Sun-hak said "The subject is same but the depictions in colors and forms vary greatly to give different impressions every time you see his works. The sea, the buildings and the ships and boats are well mingled in harmony yet in their own charm and character."

One might wonder how Choi is realizing gentle and peaceful ambience despite the thick and rough touches of the brush. The color patches seem simple yet abstract but eventually create well organized harmony and a sense of warmness. 

Choi had his first solo exhibition at Gyeongju Cultural Center in 1963 and the number reached to 14 today alongside numerous group and invitational exhibitions home and abroad including Japan and Canada. 

He is a founding member of Shinwoheo (1973), Creative Artists Group (1980) and Hyungmacheo (1995) through which he made a contribution to promoting local art and artists. Also, he is a founding member of Guinheo consisted of 9 elder artists of Busan. 

When asked about future plan, Choi said that he was preparing for Guinheo exhibition this November in Busan, and two exhibitions in Seoul, and an invitational solo exhibition themed on small works at Busan Tower Gallery.