YOUNG HEE SUNG - CONNECTION
IN LAIRD ART GALLERY: NOV 29-DEC 22
"We are all connected to someone. Modern people tend to choose to disconnect from face-to-face to be comfortable and not to be disturbed, but finally they live more connected through the Internet without having to face each other. I am hoping for a better connection with my family, my friends, and my supporters. I have continued to make loving efforts to improve my relationships with those who have been estranged or strained so far into unbreakable connections. Is that prayer melting into my work?" - Sung, Young Hee
TWO CRANES, 2023
Acrylic on Canvas, 30" x 60".
The two cranes lift our burdens toward the sky like graceful birds, cranes. The countless lines are our prayers. The two cranes that help lift it to God are like angels who help us build our lives. In March 2023, I was working on preparing for an exhibition commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada to be held in September. I think the two cranes standing at the local construction site symbolize the cooperation between the two countries, and the cranes also reminded me of the Korean crane, an elegant bird, so I started painting cranes with long necks. A few days later, something difficult happened to my eldest daughter, who had physical problems and depression. As a mother, there was nothing I could do other than pray out of regret for not being good enough to my daughter in the past. The two cranes were like angels, helpers who lifted my worries and burdens. Every morning, while praying, I drew lines like an orchid in a Korean painting. The sky is filled with the lines of our countless prayers for daughters, sons, families, friends, neighbors and world directed to God.
CONNECTION, 2022
Acrylic on Canvas
We are connected like wires connected between electric poles. We send countless signals to each other. Sometimes they don't understand, but they keep trying. “I love you”, “I am fine.” “Why don’t you understand me?” The sky is filled with these signals.
EXCURSION, 2022
Young Hee Sung, 2022 Acrylic on Canvas, 30"x 30"
After the pandemic ended, middle-aged women gathered at Kiki's house in Kitchener. They felt the early spring breeze as they walked along the trail that led to the backyard. It is an excursion and freedom that they have had for the first time in a long time.
ROSE OF SHARON, 2021
Acrylic on Canvas
Three Rose of Sharon trees were in full bloom in front of the house across the street from the house we moved into the year before. Every time I passed by it, I wanted to paint it. And the next year, in the early summer of 2021, I visited the landlord, received permission, and painted in front of the house on the street. Passing cars and people watched, had fun, and complimented the painting being completed on the street. It is an experience and memory that required some courage to receive attention from neighbors for a few days. So the painting was able to capture the bright colors outside.
O HOLY NIGHT, 2023
Young Hee Sung, 2022 Acrylic on Canvas, 30"x 60"
A few days before Christmas last year, while grocery shopping, I bought a bunch of carnations that caught my eye. In Korea, people buy carnations on Mother's Day. After that, I was worried that they would wilt after two or three days, so I put my child to bed and painted. While I was painting for about five hours, something deeply ached in my heart. This happened often, so I focused on the painting regardless. Before I knew it, the painting started with my daughter hugging flowers, but the person in the painting changed into myself. After 3 a.m., when the outline was somewhat clear, the baby woke up due to eczema, stopped painting, and I fell asleep with the baby. The next morning, around 8:30, I received a call from my son who was in South Korea. He told me that my mother had passed away. The night is holy night to me. O holy night! the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine!