Songs of a Tortoise (Guga)
Artist
Yoong Bae
(American, b. Korea, 1928 - 1992)
Date1980
MaterialsInk and colors on paper
Collage
DimensionsOverall: H. 17 in × W. 22 5/8 in (43.2 cm × 57.5 cm)
Matted: H. 28 in × W. 32 in (71.1 cm × 81.3 cm)
Matted: H. 28 in × W. 32 in (71.1 cm × 81.3 cm)
Credit LineGift of Kyung-Hee Bae in memory of Yoong Bae
Object number1994.57
DepartmentKorean Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on viewThese two works [1994.56 and 1994.57] are from the Songs of a Tortoise (Guga) series, in which Yoong Bae adopted a unique technique of layered sheets of paper. To start, Bae placed colored paper pieces under a neutral top layer. Wetting the surface with water and ink, the artist delicately pushed creases into the paper layers with his fingers, exposing the bright hues underneath and creating wave-like patterns. Even the title, Songs of a Tortoise, reflects the time-consuming technical aspect of his works while simultaneously evoking the Korean spirit of perseverance.
