The Golden Calligraphy of Buddhist Teachings by a Taiwanese Artist
Embraces the Mountain Temple
For the first time since its opening, the Seongbo Museum at Beomeosa, Geumjeong Chongnim, will host a solo exhibition by an international artist.
This exhibition, held in celebration of Buddha's Birthday in the Buddhist Era 2569, is a solo show by Taiwanese calligraphy artist Imukbu titled "Hwagwang Beomun." It will take place from May 3 to May 25, 2025, in the Jungjeong Hall on the first floor of the Seongbo Museum at Beomeosa.
The title "Hwagwang Beomun" combines "Hwagwang," symbolizing wisdom and compassion, and "Beomun," which reflects the harmony of Zen spirit and the aesthetics of script. The exhibition will feature 33 calligraphy works written in pure gold, presenting Buddhist scriptures and dharma sayings. It is expected to offer a unique opportunity to explore both the depth of spiritual practice and the aesthetics of calligraphic art.
Imukbu, born in 1979 in Yunlin, Taiwan, majored in calligraphy at the National Taiwan University of Arts and completed his master's degree in 2005. He has consistently developed a body of work that fuses Buddhist philosophy with the aesthetics of Chinese characters, guided by his belief that "calligraphy is my way of practice." His major exhibitions include "Huazhi Chunman" (2024), "Jingjing Yu" (2021), "Jingzimu" (2014), and "Zhenyizhijian" (2005).
This exhibition is significant as it marks the artist's first show in Korea and is also the first solo exhibition by an international artist at the Seongbo Museum at Beomeosa.
The artist commented, "Exhibiting at the tranquil Beomeosa is not merely an art show, but I hope it becomes a space for spiritual practice where the mind resonates with the universe. I wish for everyone to discover their own tranquility and wholeness through my works."
Sanhae Jeongo, the chief monk of Beomeosa and director of the Seongbo Museum, stated, "It is meaningful that, in celebration of Buddha's Birthday, a golden feast of calligraphy will unfold in the serene mountain temple. I hope this exhibition will go beyond visual appreciation and become a time for inner reflection and spiritual practice."
This exhibition is organized by the CAVE ART CENTER in Taiwan, hosted by the Seongbo Museum at Beomeosa, and made possible with the cooperation of the Taipei Representative Office in Busan, Korea. The opening ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on May 3, and a meaningful gathering is expected with those interested in art and Buddhism.
This exhibition is expected to serve as a turning point for the Seongbo Museum at Beomeosa as it emerges as a hub for international cultural exchange. The museum aims to redefine its role, moving beyond its identity as a Buddhist museum to become a complex cultural space connecting tradition and modernity, as well as the local and the global.
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