installed in the City Hall Square in 2009
sculpture / production year 2007
h 3200 x w 2300 x l 3600 mm
fiber reinforced plastic, stainless steel, steel
Purpose: To honor the legacy of Korean agriculture and its transformation
Description: “Farmer Choi and His Cow” are sculptures representing the farmer and cow, central to Korean agriculture for over 5,000 years. While teaching in the countryside, I noticed traditional farming practices disappearing, with cows kept as pets rather than for farming. Inspired to preserve this legacy, I created a statue of a farmer and his cow, modeled after a real farmer I met. This project celebrates the vital role farmers and their cows played in sustaining Korea’s economy
“Farmer Choi and His Cow” at a rally in Seoul Square with over one million attendees
I received a call inviting me to exhibit my sculpture at City Hall Square. It turned out to be a rally demanding strengthened quality control on imported beef and the protection of Korean-produced beef. I double-checked the sculpture, loaded it onto a truck, and headed to City Hall Square. The rally turnout was larger than I had anticipated.
My sculpture garnered significant attention as it made its way through a crowd of 1,000,000 gathered at City Hall Square, where it was approved for installation. Despite my intention to remain apolitical, the piece was captured amidst a flurry of camera flashes, leading to widespread media coverage. I respectfully declined interviews, resulting in my work being featured anonymously in numerous newspapers and articles. Although the individual who originally requested the sculpture did not respond to my calls, its presence during a rally advocating for quality control on imported beef and the protection of Korean-produced beef resonated deeply. Despite reports of turbulent clashes during the rally, the packed square prevented direct access to the sculpture, further underscoring its symbolic significance.
