From the self-portrait of Soohyang, we can see how proficient she is in figure painting.

Self-portrait, undated

 

Soohyang suffered from a major car accident in 1989 on the way to collect her artwork from Wyong Festival Art Exhibition. She spent her 1990s dealing with crippling after-effects of the accident, working hard on her ideological landscape paintings on religious topics and organising two Solo Exhibitions. Her religious artworks show her immensely high drawing and painting skills.

 

2000, Elijah in Mount Carmel, ink and watercolour on paper, 50 x 74 cm

 

2000, The Miracle of Cana, ink and watercolour on paper, 49 x 72 cm (My time has not come. However miracle begins to happen.)

 

2000, Jesus Praying for the Disciples, ink and watercolour on paper, 49 x 70 cm

 

2000, Jesus Praying, Blood, Sweat and Tears, ink and watercolour on paper, 70 x 49 cm

 

2000, The Fourth Station, ink and watercolour on paper, 54 x 72 cm  (Jesus carried his heavy cross and forced to walk to the ‘Place of Skull’.  After falling and getting up from the vicious scolding and whippings, he had encountered his mother who was carrying the pain of stabbed heart. )

 

Notes

Soohyang said, ‘I have tried to express the light of Creator’s Love over the eternity as if the moss, from the fresh green, becomes dark and deep green creating the world with the providence of love.’

Beside painting, organising solo exhibitions, receiving numerous prestigious awards, Soohyang also took an active role in teaching fine art to students and promote Korean culture.  Her contributions is tremendous. Her paintings are considered as national treasure. Her 64 years of Art Life (1953 – 2017) is indeed an inspiration to us in the multicultural Australia.

 

Bibliography

Lee, Seong-June (2017), Soohyang’s Artwork,  Hexagon

https://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/pages/books/CL173-92/soohyang-lee-korean-australian/jesus-praying-for-the-disciples-korea