Jung-kwang

Jung-kwang or Junggwang (1935–2003) was a Korean monk, who became an artist known for his bizarre paintings and eccentric life style.[1] He was born with the name Go Chang-ryul, and used that name until he became a monk at age 25. Because of his behavior, he was expelled from his monastic order in 1979.[2]

Jung-kwang
Ink brush painting of Bodhidarma created by Jung-kwang during an art class demonstration at Berkeley High School in 1979
Born
Go Chang-ryul

(1935-01-04)January 4, 1935
Jeju Island
DiedJanuary 5, 2003(2003-01-05) (aged 68)
Resting placeYangsan, South Gyeongsang province
NationalityKorean
Known forBizarre paintings and eccentric life style

In the fall of 1977, University of California Professor Lewis Lancaster accompanied Jung-kwang as they traveled through Korea, and published a book based on their trip.[3] In 1979, he gave a demonstration to a high school art class, completing a painting in seconds. In 1980, Jung-kwang lectured at the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University. His work is included in collections of the Asian Art Museum (San Francisco), the Asia Society Gallery (Rockfeller Foundation, New York), and The British museum.[4] He has authored several books.[5][6]

According to religion life author Vincent Biondo, Jung-kwang "described himself as a 'Buddhist mop,' which gets dirty itself, but makes everything it touches clean."[7]

Jung-kwang drank makkeolli, a Korean alcoholic beverage, and he also smoked. He was in poor health for about five years prior to his death on the day after his 68th birthday. He was cremated in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang province, South Korea.[1]

References
  1. Jung Myung-jin (January 5, 2003). "Eccentric monk and artist, Reverend Mop dies at 67". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  2. "How a 'mad monk' captured Zen". The Korea Herald. The Korea Herald by Herald Corporation. August 7, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. Jung, FirstName (1979). The mad monk : paintings of unlimited action. Berkeley, Calif: Lancaster-Miller Publishers. ISBN 0-89581-017-4.
  4. "Jung Kwang". Seoul, Korea: GALLERY MEE. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  5. Jung, FirstName (1983). The dirty mop : unlimited action paintings and poems. Berkeley Seoul: Asian Humanities Press Po Chin Chai. ISBN 0895810239.
  6. Jung, FirstName (1979). The mad monk : paintings of unlimited action. Berkeley, Calif: Lancaster-Miller Publishers. ISBN 0895810174.
  7. Biondo, Vincent (2010). Religion and Everyday Life and Culture [3 volumes. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 0313342792.


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