Chae Sung Pil is known as the “Soil Artist” because Chae uses soil instead of paint to portray the essence of nature and the earth. Chae explains, “God crafted humans out of soil. Soil is also the foundation upon which the concept of yin and yang and the five elements of nature are built.” The artist adds that soil is the essence that transcends the boundary between East and West, and where the circle of life takes place for all living things.

Chae was born in Jindo and moved to Seoul when he was in middle school. He studied ink wash painting at Seoul National University’s Department of Oriental Painting and discovered a coloring method from the Joseon dynasty using soil. He discovered that soil was used not only in Joseon but also in ancient cave wall paintings and fresco paintings in Europe, making it one of the most ancient ingredients in the history of art. Chae became immersed in the theme and material of soil and built his artistic identity upon it. Chae obtained a Master’s Degree in Oriental Painting at Seoul National University, completed his doctoral program in Plastic Arts at the University of Paris 1, and held numerous solo exhibitions domestically and internationally. His works are in the collection of Musée Cernuschi, Paris City Hall, Foundation Pinault, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and Seoul Museum of Art.

In Kiaf SEOUL 2023 HIGHLIGHT, the audience can experience Chae’s trademark works like his “soil paintings” and other paintings drawn with natural blue pigment extracted and refined from soil. The soil painting depicts the essence of nature and earth, and paintings drawn with natural blue pigments depict the water. Chae said, “Nothing expresses the essence of earth’s energy as water, housed within the earthen vessel,” adding, “Blue is the color of the ocean which surrounds the earth, and also the symbolic color of the sky, standing witness to its history.”

Chae doesn’t say that he paints. What he does is to “make the painting draw itself.” Just like Jackson Pollock, who splattered paint to create his art, Chae conveys the essence of natural phenomena just as they are. The process of creating art brings joy to Chae. Chae said, “For me, art is not a means to an end. My wish is to immerse myself in my work until the day I die. If I were to choose, my life’s objective would be to live every single day diligently as an artist.”

Chae, who has focused on soil and natural elements throughout his entire career, is now attempting to create art about human lives. Chae said, “I’m interested in the connection between human history and soil these days. One day, I’ll be ready to show my work on this theme.”

Chae was born in Korea and studied Eastern art and philosophy. He currently resides in the West, the birthplace of the concept of contemporary art, in France. Chae said, “Each meeting and interaction is a source of creative energy and inspiration for me. Meeting the audience and other artists at this year’s Kiaf will do the same.”

(Installation View)