Q HOW DID YOU GET TO WORK ON DRIED POLLACK AS AN ARTWORK?

While working as a modern folk painter, I held exhibitions for the “Dried Pollack for Blessing” series. Many people wanted to purchase the original artworks, so I started to develop them into art products.

Q THE DRAWINGS PAINTED ON EACH DRIED POLLACK HAVE DIFFERENT MEANINGS?

The 40 original “Dried Pollack for Blessing” paintings each express different blessings that people wish for. The “Flower Dried Pollack” is to wish for bright moments in life like wealth, honor, harmony, and success. The “Rainbow-striped Dried Pollack” uses the representative five colors of Korea to wish for blessings and events worth celebrating at home.

Q HOW DO YOU PRODUCE EACH PRODUCT?

I create graphics for printing by amending the high-resolution photo images of the original paintings. Then, I cut them into the right sizes, print the images on hardwood, trim the pollack shapes with sandpaper, and coat them with an ultraviolet (UV) coating. The elegantly decorated dried pollack are then neatly knotted and packaged with a cotton cloth. That is how each product is made and completed.

Q WHAT DID YOU PAY THE MOST ATTENTION TO WHILE PRODUCING THE PRODUCT?

It was printing with colors that are the closest to the original paintings. I worked on the same painting and amended the graphics and print setting numerous times until the tones close to those of the original paintings came out. Only by repeating this process did I get to produce the current high-quality products.

Q WHAT WERE YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS DURING YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST?

I was being hospitalized on the day of the third screening. Because I couldn’t possibly give up the great opportunity, I asked the doctor for his understanding and went to the screening site. I hid the intravenous (IV) string under the neatly dressed suit and went ahead with the presentation. It was difficult at the time, but thinking of it now, it has become a good memory.

Q WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF THE CONTEST?

I liked the benefits offered to the awardees. In particular, the business education helped me with marketing, which I always lacked the skill for, and presented me with a direction to pursue. I will steadily work and take any business opportunity based on what I have learned during the contest.