Colombian artist takes inspiration from Korean ceramics

Colombian artist Duvan Lopez holds "Silla de la Paz" (Chair of Peace) at Wolha Art Gallery in central Seoul, May 25. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Colombian artist Duvan Lopez is often referred to as “the Picasso of South America,” but the artist said he thinks it is curious and questions what aspect of his work lead to this comparison.

"Many acknowledge the power, speed and intellect in my art is comparable to Picasso's. This notion stems from the creative capacity observed in a very short time. However, by investing more time to understand my work, you'll perceive how enormously versatile I am. It's not about Picasso's style, but it's about evolving my own style of 'Duvan,'" Lopez said at Wolha Art Gallery in central Seoul, May 25, where his solo exhibition was held.

Francisco Alberto Gonzalez, charge d'affaires a.i. from the Embassy of Colombia touched on Lopez's work regarding Korean ceramics during the Yeoju Ceramic Festival last month.

“We were represented by Duvan Lopez, who experienced an exchange of knowledge and experiences of one of the most beautiful tasks with a 1,000-year-old tradition, which identifies Korea for its ceramic art,” Gonzalez said.

As the only foreign artist invited to the festival, Lopez presented some of his drawings about traditional Korean porcelain jars, saying that the aesthetic simplicity of Korean ceramics beautifully complements his abstract art.

"Art, as a universal language, resonates universally in its quest for beauty and the construction of humanity. If my presence and artistry in Korea contribute to enriching the cultural relations and exchanges between our two countries, then I consider my mission fulfilled,” Lopez said.

The artworks that he crafted in Korea on ceramics and "hanji" (traditional Korean mulberry paper) employ brushwork reminiscent of calligraphy.

"The drawing here was created during a public session and encapsulates the philosophy of Korean calligraphy ― a swift, decisive gesture that communicates volumes with minimal elements. Primarily making use of local Korean paper and ink, this artistic discipline is something I'm keen to learn during my time here," the artist said.

The charge d'affaires also noted that this is not Lopez's first exhibit in Korea, as he was invited to the southern city of Gwangju last year to present his "Silla de la Paz" (Chair of Peace) in commemoration of the Gwangju Democratic Movement.

Drawing its conceptual roots from the Colombian peace process in 1999, often referred to as the Empty Chair episode, signifying the seemingly insurmountable hurdles to achieving peace, the artwork has also been the emblem for the Luxembourg Peace Prize since 2017.

"Through this piece, I challenge the traditional concept of three-dimensionality and experiment with a modern take on perspective, creating a visual illusion. This illusion enables viewers to perceive a four-dimensional object within a three-dimensional space," Lopez said.