Reaching For Magoseong

My painting “Reaching For Magoseong” draws inspiration from Korean mythology, where “Magoseong” refers to a celestial fortress ruled by The Wise who preside over the living.

In this artwork, I imagined this celestial fortress as accessible only by embarking on a journey across open sea, where nothing else seems to exist within sight, the sea itself symbolizing life. The presence of a stylized boat in motion, gliding across a tranquil expanse, suggests a voyage toward the unknown—perhaps easy and pleasant, perhaps arduous and perilous, yet always essential to reaching one’s ultimate goal.

This painting evokes the human journey, marked by solitude and adversity, while the gentle hues and abstract forms convey inner peace and the idea of progress toward the unknown.

This artwork invites reflection on the meaning of life, emphasizing that obstacles shape our personal growth and that perseverance is necessary to achieve our dreams.