Renowned Artist Who Elevated Korean Textile Art Dies
Song Beon-su, an artist celebrated for his significant contributions to contemporary textile art in Korea, has passed away at the age of 83. The news of his death was confirmed on June 18th by Gallery Baton.
A Life Dedicated to Textile Art
After graduating from Hongik University’s College of Engineering, Song Beon-su embarked on his artistic journey in Paris in the 1970s. It was there that he discovered his passion for textile art, a medium that captivated him with its unique qualities.
He was drawn to the meticulous process of layering threads, a stark contrast to the swift completion of oil paintings. Song Beon-su also appreciated the distinctive luster that textile art offered. His dedication to the craft led him to a professorship at Hongik University’s College of Fine Arts, where he mentored numerous students and shaped the next generation of artists. He also served as the director of the Daejeon Municipal Museum of Art.
In 2017, a major retrospective exhibition of his work was held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, showcasing the breadth and depth of his artistic career.
One of Song Beon-su’s representative works, ‘The Unfinished Gallery,’ is a notable textile piece installed in Korea, uniquely replacing a cross with a symbol on a church altar.
