Chung Chang-sup, one of Korea’s most famous Monochrome painters, died of natural causes Thursday at the age of 84.

Born in 1927, Chung was one of the senior figures of Korean art. After his successful debut in 1952 by winning the special prize at the National Art Competition, he led some of Korea’s important art movements such as Art Informel. He was one of the first graduates of the College of Fine Arts at Seoul National University and worked as an honorary professor there until his death. 

He was well-known for his calm and monotone paintings on “dakjongi,” or Korean traditional paper made from mulberry bark. His last series “Mukgo,” which means the thought of silence, was the epitome of his works.

His last exhibition was the “Chang-Sup Chung Retrospective” held at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, last year. The show, which looked back on his 60-year career, was his first-ever solo exhibition held at a national museum.

He is survived by his wife, Yang Eun-hee, and two sons ― Chung Kyu-yeob and Chung Kyu-in. His body is at rest at Samsung Medical Center in southern Seoul. The funeral cortege leaves the hospital at 9 a.m. on Saturday. For information, call (02) 3410-6915.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)