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Torso (1975, stainless steel, 27×21×92(h)cm)

Yoon Young-ja (1924–2016), a pioneer of Korean modern sculpture and a leading female sculptor, is an artist who grew alongside the formation of post-war Korean sculpture history. As a member of the first entering class of the Department of Sculpture at Hongik University in 1949, she laid the foundation for Korean modern sculpture, leaving a major mark on the Korean art world through her lifelong activities as a sculptor, educator, and patron.

At the core of Yoon Young-ja's artistic worldview are the dignity of human life and inner energy. Rather than realistically reproducing the human body, she condensed and expressed the fundamental power and spirituality of life into a sculptural language. This artistic approach, referred to as the "aesthetic of vitalism," formed an important trend in Korean modern sculpture.

Created in 1975, "Torso" is a representative work that clearly showcases this sculptural world. By boldly omitting the head and limbs, the work reveals the condensed energy and presence of life solely through the torso of the human body. The smoothly polished stainless steel curved surface embraces light and the surrounding landscape, creating an ever-changing expression. Even within its restrained form, soft curves and taut tension coexist, capturing both femininity and vitality.

Yoon Young-ja also excelled in large-scale commemorative sculptures and public art. She left memories of modern and contemporary Korean history in sculpture, creating the Haengju Battle Monument for General Gwon Yul at Haengjusanseong Fortress, the statue of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, and the Korean Protestantism Centennial Monument. She received the Bogwan Order of Culture Merit in 1992 and the National Academy of Arts Award of the Republic of Korea in 1997, with her works held by major institutions including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Seoul Museum of Art.

Gana Art Center

                                                                                                            Jeon Hye-won