Dive in to photographer’s underwater world
A school of sardines underwater in Cebu, Philippines. The photo is part of the exhibition “Mare.” [NEWSIS]
The first photo exhibition by Chang Nam Won, titled “Mare,” conveys the artist’s love and passion for the sea. Chang’s photographs, which are largely shot underwater, have attracted the attention of the Korean art world.
“I am left without words in the face of the mightiness of the sea,” said Chang, an established photojournalist who specializes in images of the sea. Chang currently serves as a photography adviser to the JoongAng Ilbo.
“The sea fills all the empty spaces in my heart and makes me a different person every day,” Chang said. “I owe the sea so much. I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to express my love for the sea, and also how to repay my debt, and I came up with the idea of showing the world the photos I took when I was underwater.”
Chang Nam Won
“The sea is the greatest museum God has ever created,” Chang said. “You can’t imagine how beautiful and mysterious it is ... and it is miraculous to see all the creatures that exist down there. We probably won’t be able to know everything under there. But the sea will always be waiting for us.”
Taking photos underwater is complicated and physically demanding. Chang suffers from Bell’s palsy, a result of having stayed underwater for too long. His hearing is also failing.
The job also requires a great deal of patience. Chang once had to wait almost a year to spot a humpback whale. He said that professional landscape photographers do not always understand the feeling he has after getting a shot after such a long wait. There is a big difference, Chang says, between looking for something in the open and boundless sea and shooting an image of a landscape.
When asked what he feels when he goes to the sea, Chang said the prayer he offers to the sea every time he goes underwater reflects his feelings very well: “Oh sea, the mother of all living creatures, you fill the emptiness, and your virtue lets everything flow as it should. I am throwing myself into your arms once again for your wisdom, mercy and strength. Kindly lead me your heart and fill me with your warmth.”
*“Mare” will run until July 18 at the Lotte Gallery, located on the 9th floor of the Lotte Department Store’s Avenuel branch in Sogong-dong, central Seoul. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Go to Euljiro 1-ga Station, line No. 2, exit 7. For more information, call (02) 726-4428.
By Chung Jae-suk [estyle@joongang.co.kr]
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한없는 바다, 뭍에 오르다
시퍼렇다 못해 검푸르다. 바닷속을 뒤덮은 은빛 고기떼는 하늘을 떼지어 날아가는 철새무리처럼 보인다. 장엄한 바다다. 기막힌 바다다. 뤽 베송 감독의 영화 ‘그랑 블루(Le Grand Bleu)’를 떠오르게 하는 ‘거대한 파랑’이 보는 이를 전율케 한다.
30여 년 바다 속을 찍어온 사진가 장남원(60·중앙일보 보도사진 전문위원)씨는 “바다의 위대함에 아무 말도 못한다”고 했다. 어떤 땐 포근하다가 어느 땐 무섭기도 한 바다가 너무 좋아서 말문이 막힌다. 수중 사진가 장씨의 부리부리한 얼굴을 보고 후배들이 지어준 별명이 ‘고릴라’다. 고릴라는 왜 바다로 갔을까.
한글 기사 보기
한없는 바다, 뭍에 오르다
시퍼렇다 못해 검푸르다. 바닷속을 뒤덮은 은빛 고기떼는 하늘을 떼지어 날아가는 철새무리처럼 보인다. 장엄한 바다다. 기막힌 바다다. 뤽 베송 감독의 영화 ‘그랑 블루(Le Grand Bleu)’를 떠오르게 하는 ‘거대한 파랑’이 보는 이를 전율케 한다.
30여 년 바다 속을 찍어온 사진가 장남원(60·중앙일보 보도사진 전문위원)씨는 “바다의 위대함에 아무 말도 못한다”고 했다. 어떤 땐 포근하다가 어느 땐 무섭기도 한 바다가 너무 좋아서 말문이 막힌다. 수중 사진가 장씨의 부리부리한 얼굴을 보고 후배들이 지어준 별명이 ‘고릴라’다. 고릴라는 왜 바다로 갔을까.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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