The Artistic World of 'Jeju Painter' Lee Wal-jong Encountered Through Light and Music

Hwa-baek Lee Wal-jong's Immersive Art Exhibition in Jeju
Opening December 1 at Seongsan Bit-ui Bunker, Jeju

Artist Iwaljong's life in Jeju and his philosophical reflections are showcased in the exhibition ‘Iwaljong, the Island of the Middle Way Jeju’.

Artist Iwaljong (left) and Timonet CEO Jinwoo Park preparing for the exhibition "Iwaljong, the Island of Jungdo Jeju" [Photo provided by Timonet]

The complex cultural arts space, Bunker of Light, announced on the 20th that the exhibition ‘Iwaljong, the Island of the Middle Way Jeju’ will open on December 1 at the Bunker of Light located in Seongsan, Jeju.

The exhibition is designed as an immersive experience that allows visitors to sensorially engage with the free artistic world of Iwaljong, known as the ‘Painter of Jeju.’ Since the 1990s, Iwaljong has lived in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, expressing the natural scenery and the joys and sorrows of life through works that transcend two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms, including painting, wood sculpture, and ceramic sculpture. In particular, the exhibition conveys the artist’s life wisdom and positive energy centered on concepts such as ‘Jungdo (中道),’ meaning equality without leaning to one side, and ‘Yeon-gi (緣起),’ the idea that all things in the self and the world arise interdependently.

This exhibition presents the ‘Island of the Middle Way Jeju’ series, including new works by Iwaljong. Comprising a total of five sequences, including the introduction, it follows themes such as the worldview of Jungdo and Yeon-gi, the tranquil life in Jeju, and life viewed through golf. Bunker of Light plans to stimulate visitors’ imagination by expressing Iwaljong’s cheerful and optimistic artistic world through light and music.

‘Iwaljong, the Island of the Middle Way Jeju’ is the first ‘AMIEX (Art & Music Immersive Experience)’ content independently planned and produced by Timonet, the operator of Bunker of Light. The company explained that starting with this exhibition, it will actively reinterpret domestic artists’ content into immersive art exhibitions and sequentially introduce them at the nine ‘Light Series’ exhibition halls opened worldwide, promoting the export of its own content.

Park Jinwoo, CEO of Timonet, said, “Through the meeting of Iwaljong, who expresses the joy of life in Jeju with vivid and bright images, and Bunker of Light, the most Korean yet global immersive art exhibition has been born. Through the ‘AMIEX’ exhibitions introducing domestic artists and works, we will present Korea’s unique sentiments and culture to the world.”

Bunker of Light is a complex cultural arts space that has transformed a hidden bunker, formerly a national telecommunications facility, into a new space of light and music. Equipped with high-definition projectors in a space completely isolated from external light and noise, it projects masterpieces onto walls, floors, and all around to provide an immersive experience. As a complex cultural arts space offering diverse cultural and artistic experiences, it presents various contents and programs beyond exhibitions.