Kisoo Chai, a visionary artist whose journey began amid the maritime backdrop of his hometown, has since traversed continents and cultures, weaving his experiences into the rich tapestry of his art. A young boy found solace in the strokes of his brush in the bustling port city of Yeosu, South Korea, where the rhythmic dance of ships and trains orchestrates the daily symphony of life.
Kisoo’s ability to draw was evident from an early age, as he turned ordinary walls into colourful canvases that demonstrated his growing skill. His official Fine Art education at Seoul’s Hong-Ik University acted as a furnace for his creative ardour, developing his abilities and fostering his inventive spirit.
In his mid-forties, Kisoo moved his family to the sunny coasts of California, starting a transpacific voyage. Here, in the Golden State, with its endless creative possibilities, Kisoo was surrounded by a cacophony of stimuli. Every element—from the untamed landscapes to the varied wildlife, from the play of sunshine to the soft breezes—came together to inspire his creative inventiveness.
Having taught for more than thirty years, Kisoo’s artistic career has been as much about sharing knowledge as it has been about perfecting his skill. His extraordinary sketching abilities, honed over years of commitment and practice, have not only graced exhibitions but also functioned as a model for up-and-coming artists.
Kisoo’s artistic pursuits have shifted in the past few years to focus on examining the fundamental nature of humanity. He aims to depict the fleeting beauty seen in human gazes and gestures using colour and brushstrokes. The goal is to capture fleeting moments that speak to universal truths and to capture the essence of human emotion on canvas.
Kisoo’s preference for a palette dominated by black and white or monochromatic tonalities is fundamental to his artistic style. He uses this purposeful decision as a canvas to investigate the relationship between light and shadow, carefully probing the depths of human experience.
Kisoo Chai’s work is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, as he continues to explore the infinite possibilities of artistic expression. He asks us to stop, think, and be in awe of the beauty that is contained in the passing moments of our lives through the brushstrokes. In a world full of noise, Kisoo’s artwork invites us to witness the magnificent magnificence of what it is to be human by whispering truths that cut beyond language.
