Art is statement, engagement, and movement.When I first started painting and debuted as an artist, I was very scared because it was hard to define art. There were many people in the world who were better at painting than me, so how could I confidently introduce myself as an artist? At the time, it was a very difficult assignment for me. I asked myself what art was every day and tried to answer that question every day. That was the only way for me to find the answer to what art truly was. Some people defined art as a luxury. They thought it was a kind of acting and fraud, like Banksy's performance. They criticized that the price of paintings was too high compared to their value. Some people said that being an artist was a profession that did not create wealth and was a shortcut to choosing a path of lifelong poverty. They explained how many people around them graduated from art school but were unable to make a living through art. And they were extremely worried about their children becoming artists. Some people also defined art as a kind of hobby that dreamers participate in. Artists have a flower garden in their heads and lack a sense of reality, and people around them say that they will suffer because of this for the rest of their lives. All these stories are the advice people gave me as I constantly asked myself what art is and tried to find answers. I started to get tired of these people’s prejudices and negative criticisms. And I even sent emails to artists who were overly optimistic and full of energy, hoping to hear their hopeful messages. Looking back, I was like a beginner at the time, a lamb wandering in an unknown world. However, I wandered, bumped into things, and lost my way, and moved forward little by little. I thought that this kind of me was like a snail. And since then, the snail has become my symbol. I discovered that snails move slowly and unobtrusively, but they never go back. It was slow and frustrating, but I had hope that if I kept moving forward like a snail, I would eventually get the answer I wanted. That’s how I moved forward little by little. I opened a blog to answer these questions. I didn’t want to be packaged and distinguished as an artist. I wanted to show myself as I am, even though I am clumsy and lacking. So, the writing I wrote every day became my growth diary that everyone could relate to. People who sympathized with these writings, supported me, and gave me strength began to appear one by one. It was as if I had found my own ally, and my voice became stronger and my thoughts became more and more confident. While writing my blog, I discovered that many artists are reluctant to share their failures. They must know very well how frustrated and anxious artists feel when they first start drawing. I want to share this process because I know that feeling. I no longer want to look cool or great. As I met people with the same temperature as me, I gradually expanded my territory. From drawings to writing to blogging, my territory gradually expanded. And as I talked to many people who loved art, I grew as an artist. This growth period became my statement. And eventually, it became the answer I was looking for. As I answered the questions I asked myself, I was able to accurately and confidently say that I am an artist. And as I filled myself like this, people around me also started calling me an artist. Through this statement, I am leading the participation of people around me and through this, I am creating a movement. This is really wonderful. In art, we can become one and create a path for everyone to be happy. This is no longer a dream or fantasy, but a reality. We should think about how much we have lost art and wandered since the Altamira cave paintings. At that time, everyone drew pictures and communicated through pictures. Their painted cows are full of power and happiness. Through their pictures, I imagine how much happier our ancestors were back then than in this age of abundance. Why are we so interested in others? Why do we envy others? Why do we have so many dark thoughts inside us? Why can’t we focus on ourselves? Perhaps we don’t have the time or the leisure to focus on ourselves and lack such activities. In this sense, art helps us focus on ourselves and find ourselves. Perhaps we are living in a false virtual world that we have created ourselves. You may not be able to live your life because you are trapped in the darkness of your own prejudices, negative thoughts, and hatred. Most of this darkness is self-created. I know the healing effect of painting very well. When you are painting, you do not have time to think about such dark thoughts. In that time, you have to decide on the composition and think about how to improve the painting. You have to study techniques and ask questions to develop yourself further. There is too much to learn in painting to think about other things. I think that sports, music, and other studies have this effect when you are absorbed in them. I am an artist, so I only talk about painting. I like the sound of children humming when they are absorbed in painting. When children hum, I feel happy because I feel like I have done my job as an art teacher. I hope that everyone can enjoy this happiness. I became a person who felt happiness through painting and wanted to convey the happiness and joy that painting gave me while connecting with people. And I learned that these people are called artists. Look at the artists around you. They are probably full of energy.
I hope that many people can participate in this energy. And I hope that through painting, we can talk, get to know each other, and become happy. I hope that this will no longer be a dream. That is why I want to define art as a statement, engagement, and movement.
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