An Interview with Won Seok Lim

Date 31 May 2005 Venue Art Beatus Gallery

Interviewer Ross Michael Pink

 

 

Moonlight over Planet Earth
Moonlight over Planet Earth

There is a saying in Asia that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, for Korean-born Vancouver artist, Won Seok Lim, that journey is well underway. Like all artists, Seok did not follow a conventional path. Moreover,  his independent nature tended to be at odds with conventional society in Korea that is conservative.

"Before moving seriously into art, I illustrated books and reference books in Korea." "I tend to do things unconventionally and had a hard time in Korea because I wasn't fitting in well.Everything I did in my childhood was seen as against the rules." Many artists are forced to leave the comfort of their own surroundings and Seok is no exception. The conservative strictures of his homeland nudged him toward a new and freer environment.

Vertigo
Vertigo

After working and studying theology in University, Seok decided to move to Canada. "I came  here with expectations about the Western world, but what happened was quite the opposite to my expectations. Life here in the beginning was disappointing because I dealt with the same issues here as in Korea. The escape was from Korea but not from myself."

 

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For Seok, the idea of being a painter was always in his life. In Canada in 2001, "It all came together," he says. "It was rewarding and difficult at the same time."

Like most artists of all genres, creative  work brings solace and true expression or the '"emergence of the true and spontaneous soul," as the writer James Joyce described it.

The Soccer Field
Soccer Field
"Painting is what changed me," says Seok. "I could lose myself in art. I was bothered by my childhood, and art helped to get these feelings out. In fact, I feel that art is better than meditation because your mind can wander naturally,  yet still remain focussed." Seok portrays art that is focused on lines and the interpretation of space and time. Lately, he admits to having a deeper love for the Oriental style.

In "Soccer Field," a new work, the message is that space is created with our thoughts. Another intriguing piece is "Moonlight." This work, says Seok, "has the idea that what we do as human beings is simple. We are creating including thought and patterns."

Works by Won Seok Lim can be viewed at Art Beatus Gallery in Vancouver. He is a painter with bold and refreshing ideas, delicately captured on canvas.

© 2005 Ross Michael Pink

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