Speaking of seven years, what drove you on without ever giving up?
“Let me tell you the whole story. Back in Korea, being an artist wasn’t considered a stable job, so I went for an agricultural degree. Shortly after, I did some business in property. I started earning money, but I didn’t lose the feeling of wanting to create art. With all the money I had at the age of 33, I went to the US – along with my mother and my wife who migrated with me – and studied oil painting at an art school in San Francisco.
“A couple of years later I went back to Korea and tried to sell my oil paintings, but it didn’t do well. I was at a crossroads, deciding whether I should continue to pursue art or stick to being a businessman. Again, I still couldn’t give up the idea of creating art. And so my mother suggested that I should paint with gold, and if it didn’t work out I should just give up entirely.”
So how did you acquire the gold?
“I was the owner of two buildings. I sold one off to buy gold, and my wife called me crazy. I got divorced and went to work straight after that – very painful times!"
What is one theme that you like to make art around?
“I like to create artworks about love, happiness, respect and the love of neighbours. I want to focus more on the audience, I want them feel love and happiness when they look at my art.”