One of the joys of hiking on the Jeju Olle Trails is oft, after long long stretches of ocean sea and waves, even ulu (remote) nothingness, with blistered feet and all from the famed black rocks.. suddenly a quirky little cafe will appear out of the blue... literally. and blow all the fatigue away..
One had a beautiful sculpture garden and played wonderful music until I didn't want to leave. Another served the most yummy ice dessert with so many nutty flavourings that savouring was an adventure in itself.
This painting is inspired by a memorable cafe episode on Udo Island. The weather was gloomy when I arrived at the port. Unlike everybody else who chose to go on the plentiful wheel options, I decided to walk. And I seemed to be the only one. After an hour or so of a particularly lonesome amble through stone walled paths and brown villages, it started to rain with big pelting drops. I had to scramble to put on protective layers before continuing. Barely had I braved the blistering elements for a short distance, lo and behold a pristine white structure that looked like a pirate yacht appeared. It was a godsend little cafe that hailed the start of a petite stretch of stunning white sands and turquoise waters. As if on cue, the storm blew over, the sun came out. And someone parked a cute white scooter right before my window as I dug into my dessert gratefully, and happily.
The work commemorates that afternoon of eventful wanderings. Of what it means to be on the road. What it means to find a restive enclave. Of trials and tribulations, pains and joys, of a silver lining at the end of every storm. And of the gems of discovery on a journey embedded into this whimsical window, crowded with items and collectibles.. nuggets from a memorable travel.
Title: The Scooter 小摩托 (O97)
Description: Whimsical painting of a cafe window onlooking a little scooter parked on a beach, with a lively composition crowded with delightful items and collectibles from the artist's nuggets of memories of the Jeju Olle Trail on Udo Island. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
On a cab ride in Jeju, a friendly uncle driver enthusiastically told me that the island is known for 3 things: rocks, wind.. and after struggling with the korean-to-english translation app on his iphone.. women.
He meant the famous haenyo - sea women divers who fight against the wild waves for a catch. In the old days, many men in Jeju were lost at sea. They also had to pay heavy taxes, so the diving trade eventually passed over to the women who became the main breadwinner. A declining trade today, with tourism contributing to most job opportunities, the haenyo declined in numbers. With an average age of 65, the iconic ladies continued to dive into depths of 20-30 metres with no oxygen tank, whether for a catch, often singing a poignant song. or sadly, to the throes of tourists and flashing cameras fighting to picture the amazing feat and the prize catch of an octopus or squid.
At a particularly touristy spot, I watched but could not bear to join the mob. Amidst the madness, a solemn expression of a haenyo catches, with faraway eyes that tell of a life past that I could not possibly imagine. I knew I would paint her, paint her story, paint the beautiful bright red shoe that she wore into the waters, paint the enigmatic person behind the matriarchal symbol that may one day pass into Jeju's colourful history..
Title: Haenyo 海女 (O95)
Description: A poignant depiction of the colourful Haenyo, sea women divers iconic in Jeju, Korea, who fight the wild waves for a catch in place of the men, who are today declining in numbers and a dying trade. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
