Lot 1021: JI YONG HO

JI YONG HO
(b. 1978)
Van Gogh
signed 'J Y H' in English (lower back)
bronze sculpture
55 x 40 x 74 cm. (21 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 29 in.)
edition 1/3 (edition of 3, without AP)
original cast executed in 2003; and first bronze edition made in 2009

A part of Mutant Series, Ji Yong Ho's Ram Head 9 (Lot 1020) reflects the artist's investigation of the issue of change and mutation. Ji employs used tires and grants them "rebirth" through sculpting them into creatures that appear both natural and fantastical. As every tire attains a unique story from the roads it has traveled, Ji literally migrates those stories into his creations, not only by preserving them forever in aesthetic form, but also by making a poignant statement about the pace of modern society. Under this rapid momentum, Ji ponders how the modern human being continuously strives to reign above all creatures, and questions what consequences this blind pursuit for constant advancement will bring upon our psyche and the environment.

Ji's artistic diversity is evident in his bronze sculpture of Van Gogh (Lot 1021). Reminiscent of the works of 19th century sculptor Auguste Rodin, this bronze bust stands in sharp contrast to the magnificently elaborated tire rubber animals in terms of subject matter, material and execution of the art work. Though a classical form of sculpture, Ji's overall approach toward the bust is a modern one, bestowing upon it a great sense of realism while celebrating individualism, character and physicality.