Sayart.net - The Magic of Soil by Chae Sungpil as seen in Kiaf SEOUL

At long last, Kiaf SEOUL wrapped up on September 6, after its big run of 5 days. As it was a huge festival all over the world, numerous art figures visited the convention complex COEX one after another. In spite of a few things widely talked about that Kiaf SEOUL didn’t have the successful outcome as Frieze SEOUL, many Korean galleries sold thousands of artworks by Korean artists.

Chae Sungpil, who is known as an ‘artist of soil’, was at the center of Korean artworks’ substantial sales and Sayart could interview him at Gana Art booth on the opening day of Kiaf. It was after all his works were sold.

Chae Sungpil has been living in Paris for over 20 years and works in both Korea and France. He relies on ‘Five Elements Theory’, which is a concept of East Asian philosophy used to describe interactions and relationships between everything in the universe.  

▲ Chae Sungpil is curating about his work, entitled 4U. Photo by Claire Seo

“I think the soil is the essence of both human and nature. In the Bible, God formed man from the soil and the soil is the basis of the ‘Five Elements Theory’. Moreover, soil is a place where lives grow and return. That is why I chose soil as the medium and theme of my work. I want to show the image of earth on my canvas through the soil,” Chae Sungpil said in an interview on Sayart.

“For me, soil is not only the medium of work, but it also represents my adolescence and childhood. Moreover, soil is also a longing for my homeland and mother, as I have lived in Paris for a long time. Soil is not just a role as a paints in my works, it is an object and concept of my paintings," he added.

Chae Sungpil grinds the soil, which is collected from around the world, finely and makes it look like powder, and mixes with natural pigments and water. Then he applies or sprinkles ‘the handmade soil paints’ on the canvas. Chae paints the canvas in a way that moves, such as tilting and changing the angle of the canvas. The canvas, after repeating this process, brings up the image of vast land or current of a river because of texture.

While staring at the canvas, his painting evokes various emotions. It feels like overlooking the Grand Canyon’s valley on the plane.

▲ Chae Sungpil, portrait d_eau. 220522, 2022, Natural pigments on canvas, 150 x 150 cm. Photo by Rachel Bae.

“The figure of ‘flowing soil paints’ is a representation of the river being cut through the land. My painting shows natural phenomena through the soil. My aim is to show the essence of nature and the beauty of it through the soil on this canvas, which is a space given to me who is a painter,” Chae Sungpil said.

“My works  generally come in two colors: ocher and blue. I expanded the series of nature, from the ground to the sky and the sea. Ocher presents the land and blue symbolizes the sea above it. It’s easy if you think water is placed on the vessel called the land. In conclusion, I'm pictorializing the essence of the earth through the soil,” Chae added. 

▲ Chae Sungpil, terre et lune. 220801, 2022, Soil and India ink on Canvas, 150 x 150 cm. Courtesy of Chae Sungpil.

His paintings, which depicted the most Korean things, are already loved by many people around the world. He had solo exhibitions throughout France, South Korea and China ; took part in the 2011 and 2014 London Art Fair and 2012 Art Basel. His works are in the collection of major institutions, including Musée Cernuschi, Hôtel de Ville de Paris, Government Complex Sejong and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.

Chae Sungpil’s solo exhibition will soon be available at Gana Art Center.

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Rachel Bae sungmin.b.213@gmail.com