Sungmo Cho
Along the ‘LOVE’ Road
Opening Reception: Saturday, Dec 21st, 2024
Exhibition: December 18th, 2024-January 8th, 2025
Resonance of Authenticity: The Art of Sungmo Cho
Art transcends mere aesthetic pleasure; it possesses the profound power to resonate deeply within us, revealing truths about life. It awakens our senses and intellect, reignites forgotten stories, and leads us to rediscover the essence of existence. Far beyond the mere representation of beauty, art reveals profound insights into the dynamic interplay of objects and events, acting as a bridge that links personal memories to the broader historical and social landscapes we navigate. Such art resonates deeply with people because it captures the complexity and beauty of life while preserving an unwavering sense of authenticity. Cho Sungmo's art, rooted in personal experiences of life's struggles, fulfills this essential role of art. His works are imbued with originality, sincerity, and a warm sense of humanity. By engaging the viewer's emotions, his art prompts us to reflect on what art truly means and what it means to live as human beings.
New York, an Endless Challenge: Cultural Identity and Self-Discovery
New York is one of the world’s most dynamic and challenging art centers. For artists, it promises infinite possibilities while simultaneously serving as an unrelenting stage for self-examination. Confronted with the overwhelming power of commercial capital and the towering prestige of renowned museums and galleries, artists often ask, "Who am I in this place?" While often fraught with difficulty, this persistent question becomes a powerful catalyst for artistic and personal growth. For immigrant artists, sustaining a creative identity in New York entails a constant struggle to remain true to their essence. For them, art transcends mere expression—it becomes a way to define themselves and seek meaning. If an artist's life can be likened to a flame burning brightly against the wind, that flame is not merely for survival; it is a beacon of connection and communication with the world. Ultimately, art is a journey of self-discovery and a dialogue with the broader world. Through this process, artists affirm their existence and find a profound sense of fulfillment that cannot be exchanged for anything.
In 1992, the artist embarked on a difficult path to study abroad in search of new possibilities. Balancing the responsibility of supporting his family while continuing his work as an immigrant brought constant obstacles and difficulties. In the overwhelming materialism of New York, he emphasized the truth that human essence cannot be separated from nature while exploring his own identity. In the winter of 2012, he moved to a rural area of New York, Monroe. Surrounded by trees and nature, he tended to his studio, designed his home in harmony with nature, and undertook physically demanding tasks. Through these challenges, he increasingly recognized that life and art cannot be separated. His creative process was a journey to explore the depths of life, bridging nature and humanity, and discovering and understanding his identity.
Visual Form: Transcending Boundaries Between Figuration and Abstraction
Sungmo Cho's work has been a continuous exploration of visual form experimentation. He explored civilization and modern technology through the sophistication of realist techniques and three-dimensional forms incorporating objects, continuously seeking to reconfigure the relationship between nature and the material world. His surrealist approach reveals the chaos and otherness inherent in modern life while integrating these two worlds. Particularly on the two-dimensional canvas, he creates compositions where figuration and abstraction coexist, staging a dialogue between these contrasting realms. During this period, his works integrated everyday subjects, natural forms, and text to construct a cohesive world in which these elements coexist. Through this process, his recent works have gradually unfolded the visual composition, not only emphasizing geometric order but also enhancing the completeness of his work with a harmonious organic flow.
One of the most striking features in Sungmo Cho’s work is his unique sense of spatiality. While it evokes the simplicity of flatness and minimalism pursued in contemporary painting, the spaces he creates go far beyond mere formal aesthetics. He boldly transcends the boundaries of figuration and abstraction, combining disparate elements to forge a rich and distinct visual language. His compositions construct visual order through a delicate interplay of lines and colors, simultaneously layering texts and forms to form intricate, subtle narratives. Remarkably, his work does not merely list visual elements but engraves the traces of time and fragments of memory directly onto the canvas. Viewers are invited to experience moments where scattered memories converge, and lost time engages with the present. His works inspire deep reflection and introspection through a meaningful artistic dialogue.
The Theme of Repetition: ‘LOVE’
The word 'LOVE' appears repeatedly in Sungmo Cho's works, establishing itself as a central theme in his artistic world. Since first incorporating textual imagery into his art in 2009, he has consistently explored this concept through the series Along the 'LOVE' Road. Initially, the 'LOVE' text overlapped with images of roads, but in a pivotal 2017 work, the text became separated from its road-like imagery, evolving into a repetitive element that began to occupy the canvas as an integral part of the composition. This transformation signifies the progression of 'LOVE' from being merely a word or message to becoming a visual form that fills and claims space in new ways. In the works presented in this exhibition, 'LOVE' functions not only as legible text but also as a brushstroke-like presence that freely flows and occupies space. Through this approach, Cho explores the boundaries between emotion and visual form, offering new possibilities for artistic expression
As he prepared for his 2024 solo exhibition, Cho was increasingly impacted by global wars and political conflicts, intensifying his incorporation of 'LOVE' into his paintings. He firmly states, "Given the shocks from reality and political situations, I must express these through 'LOVE,' and this will continue until the day I am spent." The 'LOVE' series goes beyond emotional expression; it encompasses philosophical declarations and social messages. The recurring 'LOVE' word carries meanings beyond mere text; it fills the canvas with the resonance of love, written in large and small letters. The word 'LOVE,' inscribed across the cells of trees, feels like a whisper or a chorus echoing from *Sarang Mountain. Through this word, the artist reflects on the divisions and conflicts in contemporary society, proposing that art can be a tool for harmony and healing. 'LOVE' is no longer just a word; it symbolizes the interconnectedness and expansion of humanity, resonating naturally across the canvas.
The intersection between Nature and Civilization: The Symbolism of Trees
In Sungmo Cho’s works, the recurring theme of ‘trees’ serves as a central motif that connects nature and the essence of human experience. Through the imagery of trees, the artist bridges the divide between nature and civilization, creating a unique artistic language that merges traditional aesthetics with modern thought. His trees are both tranquil and powerful, reminding us of the interdependence between nature and humanity, conveying profound messages to the viewer. Specifically, the upright trees serve as symbols of nature while also metaphorically representing his experiences of immigration and identity. The roots of these trees symbolize the identity of an immigrant, while the branches suggest future growth and expansion, encapsulating his immigrant journey and life path. The tree imagery embodies the artist’s personal journey from Seoul to Pratt Institute in New York, via his studio in Long Island City, and ultimately to Sarang Mountain, signifying a progression toward a new life. The simultaneous presence of trees and road signs in his works reveals an artistic insight into seeking harmony and balance at the intersection between civilization and nature.
Existential Questions in Art and Philosophical Insight
At the heart of Sungmo Cho's work lies the fundamental, existential question: "What is art?" He considers art not just a visual object or symbolic message but a process that raises more profound questions about human existence and essence. His paintings and installations evoke the core concept of wu wei (無爲) from Eastern philosophy, which seeks harmony between humanity and nature. This philosophical approach, emphasizing minimal artificial intervention within this balance, can also be interpreted as a dialogue with Western minimalism. This philosophical stance resonates with and extends into a dialogue with Western minimalism, showcasing the universality of his inquiry into aesthetics. Cho’s work transcends cultural boundaries, bridging Eastern and Western philosophies and art forms and posing profound questions about art and existence that resonate globally.
Over the past 40 years, Cho has pursued a path akin to that of a seeker, developing a unique visual language centered on the themes of "civilization, nature, and humanity." His artistic journey has been one of deep introspection and exploration, creating works that serve as a bridge for communication and empathy between the artist and the audience. Through this process, his works transcend personal experiences, serving as artistic mediators that enable communication and empathy with the audience. This exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to deeply engage with his artistic world and experience the fundamental connections between humanity, love, and nature.
*Sarang Mountain: In Korean, "Sarang" translates to "Love." After moving to the Monroe area, Sungmo Cho transformed a hillside into a space embodying his artistic vision—a sanctuary where nature and humanity can coexist in harmony.
Soojung Hyun, Ph.D.
Soojung Hyun is an independent curator, program organizer, and lecturer whose work explores the cultural and artistic exchanges between Korea, the United States, and Europe, focusing on national and cultural identities in our interconnected global world. As an educator, she has shared her expertise in Asian Art and Contemporary Art at institutions including Montclair State University, New York City College of Technology, and Manhattanville College. Additionally, Hyun has made significant contributions to the Archive of Korean Artists in America (AKAA), preserving and promoting the legacy of Korean artists in the diaspora.