Work 74-05 1975

Ha Chong-Hyun made this artwork, Work 74-05, using oil on burlap. The marks are like raindrops, or maybe stitches, each one a little different but together they make a whole world of texture. Looking closely, you can see how the paint is both on top of and pushed into the burlap. There’s a push and pull, a give and take, that feels really physical. It's like he’s not just painting but wrestling with the material. That burlap, it's not just a background, it’s part of the action. It reminds me of when I’m painting and I let the canvas show through, letting the history of the thing be part of the story. The beige and white, that colour combination gives it a certain calmness. It makes me think of Agnes Martin, but with more grit. There's a repetitive element, but there's also a beauty in the imperfection. It's about the process, the touch, and that’s what makes it alive.