Banker finds ease in photography

Features

Published: 24 Aug. 2006, 20:43

Banker finds ease in photography

He doesn’t make a living by taking photographs, but still takes them as if it were his profession. Yoo Byung-yong, 55, the head of a bank branch, will hold his 14th photo exhibition in Mokin Gallery, central Seoul, from Wednesday. Mr. Yoo’s first exhibition was held in 1988 and he has published books of photography ― “Rose,” “Wild Flowers” and “Give Up, Then You Might Find Something,” which is also the title of this exhibition. Mr. Yoo is also a member of the Photo Artist Society of Korea.
The photos displayed in the exhibition are accompanied by short texts, rather than titles. Mr. Yoo said taking photos and writing are diversions that free him from his daily bank work, and have made his life much more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise.
The exhibition consists of 60 photographs Mr. Yoo has taken over the last 30 years. The subjects include wild flowers, nudes, walls and scenes of Canada, where he lived for about three years.
“As a man in my mid-50s, it’s time to retire from my job, and I thought it’s time to wrap up my photographic past to start again,” said Mr. Yoo. “I don’t want to stick to the dreams I couldn’t realize, and I believe it’s time to give them up. Giving up means a way of choosing other dreams,” he added.

by Park Sung-ha

The exhibition runs until Sept. 5 with a question and answer session with the photographer on Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. Admission is free. The nearest subway stations are Anguk station, line No. 3, exit 6, or Jonggak station, line No.1, exit 3. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday. For more information, call (02) 722-5055.