Cindy Youngcil Park

Dakda: Thousand years of crossing (2024)

Acrylic, oil, wax pastel, batik on cotton

200x150cm

Inspired by the visit to Yogyakarta in 2024, the artist was captivated by its rich culture, layered history, and the warmth of its people and food. She was particularly moved by their resilience in thriving amidst the challenges posed by the jungle, intense heat, and active volcanoes. She longed to capture the atmosphere of this city, which appeared to have witnessed every chapter of its history.

The ancient temples and monumental structures, crafted from volcanic stone, had withstood the passage of thousands of years. As a fabric lover, she was eager to incorporate the beautiful batik, a reflection of the region’s artistic heritage and deep cultural roots.

Cindy Youngcil Park is a painter from South Korea, based in Singapore. Influenced by Dansaekhwa and abstract expressionism, she interweaves her personal journey through time. Her works emanate a sense of lightness achieved through layers of repeated cleaning gestures of filling and emptying. Park collects footprints, dust, residues, and time, offering a radiant reflection of ageing and the traces and intersections of everyday life. This embodies the idea that despite life’s inevitable scratches and dents, we persevere.Time leaves its mark on one’s being, and within, one can discern a luminous shine, offering comfort and inspiration.

With an academic background in journalism, mass communication, and animation, Park’s journey has taken her from TV/radio commercial and animation production to practising as a professional painter.