A relationship is defined as “the connection between two or more entities; the way they are connected.” All men begin relationships from the moment of birth, and the family invariably becomes the starting point of every person’s relationships. Whereas forming a relationship requires all involved parties to invest time in becoming familiar with each other. A proper relationship involves a period of aging, one could say. In other words, forming a good relationship needs practicing. Even the family, a set of close relationships tied together by destiny, it is not an exception to this principle.
The attempt to explicate the nature of relationships forms the foundation and pillar of Choongseok Han’s painterly practice. “Don’t expect too much from people. Don’t be jealous, either. People stay when in love and leave when they aren’t, and that’s the nature of relationships. So, don’t be too concerned with too many things. Also, always be opend to learning new things, and remember to take care of yourself!” This advice comes from the acclaimed English fashion designer Vivienne Westwood (1941–2022). It is entirely possible that the relationships one is presently aware of are either “yet to begin,” “ongoing,”or “already ended.” In some cases, a relationship one is confident of having could, in fact, be something imagined only in his head. Why is Han so obsessed with the subjects of relationships and communication?
In one short phrase, Han’s practice is “the process of transferring the defensive nature inherent in human relationships into paintings.” The main protagonists of his paintings are a set of caricatures of men and characters of owls, dogs, and cats rendered in Han’s unique style, but contrary to what they seem, they are, in fact, radiating “passion for communication” towards the world. As an artist, Han first came under the spotlight quite some time ago.
