Self-Portrait

My work and the Gilt-Bronze Pensive Bodhisattva share profound similarities. The smile of the Gilt-Bronze Pensive Bodhisattva (National Treasures No. 78 and No. 83) is often interpreted not as a mere movement of facial muscles, but as a “spiritual smile” arising from inner contemplation and enlightenment. If the smile in my work resembles this, it is because both embody not an outward display of laughter, but a shared depth of inner calm and silence.

The smile in my work is not a mere decoration of expression. It is the trace of a quiet inward gaze, a subtle resonance of compassion toward the world. Just as in the celebrated Korean Buddhist masterpiece, the Gilt-Bronze Pensive Bodhisattva, the smile in my art is neither exaggerated nor outwardly dramatic. The delicate curve of the lips and the half-closed eyes reveal the depth of human existence—holding both joy and sorrow—and allow the viewer a plurality of interpretations. Depending on one’s state of mind, the smile may appear sorrowful, serene, or even hopeful.

For me, such a smile is a symbol that transcends time. It does not capture a fleeting emotion, but condenses accumulated life stories and long-enduring memories into a single expression. It is the “trace of inner contemplation,” ultimately embodying the way humans embrace both suffering and beauty in their journey of life.