Detail

Kim Whanki (1913-1974), famous for works such as `Jar` and `Where, In What Form, Shall We Meet Again,` is a prominent artist representing the 20th-century Republic of Korea. Kim Whanki created artworks that resonated globally with their lyrical aesthetics and color, vividly portraying the essence of Korea. His works have been greatly loved by the public and have received high acclaim in the art market as exemplary pieces of modern Korean art. Kim Whanki`s artistic journey can be divided into three main periods: his early years studying art in Japan, his time working in Paris in 1956, and his later years in New York from 1963 until his passing in 1974. During his studies in Japan, he encountered new trends in Western art, which sparked his interest in abstract art. Upon returning to Korea, he actively engaged with cultural and artistic figures, developing a deep affection for Korean sensibilities. During this period, he prominently used Joseon white porcelain jars, which he called `Moon Jars,` in his works. In 1956, Kim Whanki moved to Paris, where he deepened his previous artistic approaches, integrating traditional aesthetics with his research on color and texture to create a uniquely lyrical visual world. He moved to the United States in 1963 and continued to work there until his death in 1974. He sought to create artworks that formed a universal connection beyond ethnic colors, focusing on an intimate, lyrical world through elements such as dots, lines, and planes. In the 1970s, Kim Whanki`s dot motif evolved into an all-over dot painting covering the entire canvas. The repeated dots, which permeate the canvas, come together to form lines, which merge to create a unified plane of harmony. Each dot, with its unique spread and blur, appears like an organic entity brimming with potential. This unique characteristic gives viewers the impression that the canvas is alive and breathing. The stamps feature four of Kim Whanki`s artworks, arranged chronologically from left to right: `Plum Blossoms and Jar` (Oil on canvas, 55×37cm, 1957), `Untitled` (Oil on canvas, 178×109cm, 1964), `23-VI-65` (Oil on canvas, 208×158cm, 1965), and `Duet 22-IV-74 #331` (Oil on cotton, 178×127cm, 1974).