Calligrapher Sakong Hong-joo is holding a solo exhibition from April 27 to May 3 at Namsan Gallery in Seoul.

His 14th solo exhibition presents 23 ink-and-wash paintings with bold calligraphic strokes through which the artist attempts to portray the “good energy” in the universe. In order to visualize the energy, the artist depicted 64 hexagrams from “I Ching,” or the ancient Chinese “Book of Change.”  

The hexagrams are made up of patterns of six broken and unbroken lines, each representing the underlying order of human beings and nature, according to the ancient Chinese book. 

“The book has been the subject of study and research for many philosophers for centuries. From an artistic perspective, the 64 hexagrams, consisting of broken and unbroken six lines, hold a great aesthetic value,” said Sakong.

The artist used two shades of Oriental ink in black and blue to depict different variations of the 64 hexagrams. Each painting, decorated with lean color strokes, symbolizes good wishes for family, health, prosperity, a rich harvest and more. 

“I hope viewers receive good energy from the paintings and realize their dreams and wishes,” said the artist. 

“A piece of painting not only holds an aesthetic value, but also holds a wish for happy life,” he continued.

The exhibition will be held at Namsan gallery at Namsan Public Library, 109 Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)