Page 198 - World of Art Contemporary Art magazine: The 2023 Guggenheim issue

SUMMER VACATION, 2012 OIL ON CANVAS 36.6X24 IN. | 93X61 CM.
FINE ART CULTURE DRAGON GODDESS, 2022 OIL ON CANVAS 20.6X20.2 IN. | 53X51.5 CM.
TIGER GODDESS, 2023 OIL ON CANVAS 23.8X19.6 IN. | 60.5X50 CM.

GIRL AND THE SEVEN FAIRY 3, 2011 OIL ON CANVAS 20X24 IN. | 51X61 CM.

YOO CHOONG YEUL
Lives and work in Gyong Gi-do, Republic of Korea
https://yoo-choong-yeul.pixels.com/

Every once in a while, an extraordinary artist emerges. An artist who Superman from the cover of a comic book, working late into the
makes the viewer pay attention. To his work, his skill, his presence. night. At around 2am, there was a sudden power failure. I waited
Such an artist is Yoo Choong Yeul. If I had to choose one word to for about 30 minutes but the electricity was not restored. I went to
describe Yoo, that word would be Focus. Yoo is completely focused my friend Kang Seong-gu’s bedroom and opened a drawer of an old
on his paintings and his unwavering commitment to art. He spares unused desk, looking for a large candle, so I could continue to finish
no effort in his lifelong quest of perfecting his craft. Yoo’s dedication my artwork. As soon as my hand touched the candle, I felt a shiver
goes beyond passion. He is totally immersed in his incredible fine running through my body. And I heard an inner voice saying: ‘You go
art. And it has always been proven that with focus comes success. the painter’s path.’ From that day on, I was motivated to take ‘The
Yoo was born in 1960 in South Korea and entered the art world Artist’s Path.’” Yoo is renowned for his creation of the Captain. He
in 1981, vowing to be, in his own words: “a world class painter”. explains why he created this now famous character that has graced
He recalls his earliest memory of his involvement with art: “When covers of books by international writers: “I learned how to draw a
I was 20 years old, I attended night high school in Seongnam. I captain around 1983 from Master Kang Won, who draws captains.”
liked to make drawings from comic books and started illustrating “By 1985, I was married with a son but faced financial challenges.
cartoons with a 12-color ballpoint pen.” “One night, I was drawing It was difficult to earn money for the household. So, I stayed at the

196 WORLD of ART