<Someone Once Seen> series reconstructs the lingering impressions of strangers who have passed by in everyday life. Some individuals I encountered by chance remained vivid in my mind long after our brief encounters. This body of work emerged from an attempt to capture their traces on canvas. Though these figures once existed in reality, they are refracted and reinterpreted through my memory, transforming into new presences distinct from their original forms.
This series marks my first in-depth exploration of charcoal as a primary medium. The materiality of charcoal adds depth to the surface, while the contrast of black and white enhances the residual impressions of these figures. White is not merely a background but functions as negative space, emphasizing the texture of charcoal and establishing a new equilibrium within the composition. Figures that once hovered indistinctly take on a striking presence within this space, as if they still linger with me on the canvas. The stark yet delicate lines define their forms while leaving room for abstraction, inviting viewers to interpret them through their own experiences.
To accentuate the figures and balance form with emptiness, I have adopted the vertical composition of traditional Asian painting. My narratives are inscribed on the back of the canvas, but their discovery is left to the viewer’s discretion.
2025
moonj
