Artist Name: Jung Kwang (1935 ~ Mar. 09, 2002 / 67)

Chronology 1935. Born Junuary 4th on Cheju Island, South Korea 1962. Ordanined as a monk under Zen Master Kuha in the Choyge Buddhist Order at Tong-do Monastery (South Korea) 1977. The first public demonstration of his art style was held under the sponsorship of the Royal Asiatic Society-Korea. 1979. Publication of "The Mad Monk" by Lewis R. Lancaster, Chairman of the Oriental Languages Department at the University of California at Berkeley. 1980 ~ 2002. Had number much individual exhibitions in famous gallery of the South Korea and the several countries. || Artworks of Jung Kwang ||

Comment about Jung Kwang

  Upon our first meeting, Mr. Jung Kwang said to me "I am a Break-rule Monk", "I am a Non-rule Monk", I repled to him. Since then, I have daily silent dialogues with his artworks.
- Fukutomi Settei / Chief Priest of Rinzai Daitokuji sect

  In truth, an artist is a combination of two contrasting natures primitive barbarity and technician-like intellectuality in a single human being. Manipulating truth and virtual image all on his own, his art becomes increasingly vivid and spirited as the discrepancy is deepened.
  Jung Kwang is born with these two conflicting natures of an artist in great intensity. Furthermore, the two natures are sparking in heated battle during his experiments as a religious seeker of truth. Thus, when ordinary humans are exposed to the unique actions and extraordinary paintings of Jung Kwang, some would praise him highly as a genius painter and free monk, while others would accuse him as a rule-breaking monk or a mad caricature painter.
  In my opinion, however, such praise and censure arises from hasty demand and judgement of Jung Kwang's daring practices as well as his incomparable artistic talent. I believe that the correct attitude toward this monk-artist would be to keep watch of him in silence, and to pray, as he aims to reach the the destined stage of zen art.
- Ku Sang / South Korea poet

  I velieve that Jung Kwang's painting deserves the attention of Westerners. as well as of his fellow countrymen. for it shows us the outer limit of painting, a point wher each brush stroke is the whole of the ezperience and contains the spirit of the artist.
(from "The Mad Monk")
- Lewis R. Lancaster Berkeley 1979.

Jung Kwang had talked much about work visiting often my house from 1990 to 1992(before I begin business). Was a person such as big brother or Father to me, but had thought like a friend.
Specially, ceramics had done joint work with Jung Kwang and me. This time, lived in the side village justly and saw.
Also, is thinking many things seeing his work as have his several works now.
He had liked artworks that my daughter(Kim, Go-Un: At that time, 3~5 years old) makes very than my artworks.
- Jin Seok, Kim / Artist and Owner