Comma: Emptying, Staying, Filling

Artist Choi Young-wook’s work always begins with a single fundamental question: “What traces does life leave behind, and where do those traces flow?” He has explored this question for over 20 years under the name “Karma.” Karma is not merely the title of a series, but a central concept that drives his painterly world; it is an attitude toward existence and a structure that defines the way he relates to the world. For the artist, the lines of the moon jar are not a reproduction of actual cracks, but drawings that capture his own story; within the way lines meet, separate, and reconnect, he has read the cycle of life. It was in this process that he acquired the title “Karma,” a name that embodies the belief that a life lived diligently ultimately returns as positivity, rather than remaining confined to a specific religious interpretation. This exhibition is organized into four sections: Exploration, Discovery, Internalization, and Expansion. These four journeys transcend formal divisions and represent a flow of thought traversing the artist’s 30-year body of work, serving as a structure that visualizes the trajectory of his maturation as a painterly life. This exhibition allows viewers to follow the artist's journey, reflect on their own karma, and delve deeply into their inner worlds to quietly contemplate their lives. This exhibition aims to serve as a small catalyst to open the door to such contemplation.