Layered gazes

This series of calm, black-and-white photographs features a young girl who might be the spirit of Yu Gwan-sun, a symbol of sacrifice for Korean independence. She appears in front of various landmarks dedicated to freedom and democracy. Her presence seems to ask questions about the current state of rights, independence, and democracy in South Korea today. The declaration of martial law on the night of December 3, 2024, by former President Yoon Suk-yeol shocked the nation. It moved award-winning photographer Hakbong Kwon to rethink the “true foundation of the Republic of Korea.” By looking back at the history of the struggle for independence and those who died for it, he examines how democratic ideals are passed down and offers his own artistic interpretation through photography. Layered gazes by Hakbong Kwon is like looking at overlapping slices where the past and present alternate. The work is filled with many questions that remain silent. It is as if the girl, evoking Yu Gwan-sun, is questioning the people walking by. “How are freedom, independence, and democracy doing now? Do you still have the same spirit as those who lived through that time?” These questions hang in the air at a time when some are ready to do anything for their own gain, willing to destroy the very foundations of their nation, or even ignite a new world war. Hakbong Kwon is a South Korean photographer who studied Visual Communication Design at Dankook University in Seoul and earned a master’s degree in Visual Arts from Chiang Mai University. He works in both documentary and fine art photography, as well as in the field of education and the production of photo books. His work has received many awards in France, the UK, and the USA. Currently, Hakbong Kwon lives in Lampang, Thailand, where he continues his photographic practice.