To Rabbit is a love letter to Jang Geum, the last dog in my life. Jang Geum and I had many similarities, as if the two of us were twins. We were always together and could communicate everything without talking. Jang Geum got very sick when I first began to make paintings for this exhibition. But no matter what, she was always there to bring me joy and show me her bravery. And even though Jang Geum died halfway through this body of work, I could feel that she did not go to heaven and stayed by my side until I had completed my painting for this show. The day I finished my last piece, she greeted me and finally left my side. But I know we will meet again someday. I now paint hope rather than sadness.

(Jang Geum's ears are like rabbits, so her nickname was rabbit. The reason I did not include the neck part in the painting is because she was suffering from a tumor on her neck, so I left it absent, hoping for Jang Geumto be free.)

2024

Oil on canvas

18 x 15 in/46 x 38 cm