While walking along the Nam River in Jinju, Gyeongsang Province, the artist spoke with her father-in-law. The river held many memories from his childhood. He recalled crossing the river on his way to school with his schoolbag balanced on his head and spending hot summer days swimming and playing in its waters.
\nAs they continued their walk, the scent of incense drifted through the air. Looking down toward the river, the artist noticed fruits and flowers floating on the surface of the Nam River. Nearby, someone was performing an ancestral ritual.
\nThe Nam River was a place of joyful childhood memories for some, while for others it was a river of sorrow and longing. Within a single river, many lives and stories flow together.
\nYet we often conceal our sadness and pain, moving through the world with a smile, like the Blue Moon Whale. The whale\u2019s eyes, nose, and mouth are rendered by scratching the painted surface with a sharp blade. This technique embodies the experience of emotional wounds and the pain of being hurt, revealing traces of vulnerability beneath an outward appearance of resilience.<\/p>\n