Throughout his ongoing exploration of bamboo, Choi Byung-Kwan creates striking monochrome photographs of bamboo forests. Where he meticulously studies the plant in all its glory to create sublime, almost calming and contemplative images.
He studies the spiritual world through his constant depiction of nature and the natural world. To Choi nature is a part of self-awareness, self-recovery and enlightenment and furthermore in his native Korean culture, bamboo symbolises the SongJukJiJeol (松竹之節 unchanging integrity) from the past, SongGyoJiSu (松六之寿 strong nobility) and elegance.
'Bamboo Square' and ‘Bamboo Panorama’ reflect integrity and spirit through the depiction of the bamboo ‘line’, which is strictly morphologically rigid and excludes all other elements. These pieces are taken in the depths, the heart of the bamboo forests, where there is little available light. They are beautifully printed - reflecting this blackest of blacks, giving an almost charcoal feel from the matte darkness - punctuated with only subtle bamboo forms.