WISHING
2024

People stack stones, each bearing the weight of a wish. I gather the wounds entrusted to me, stacking them one by one, wishing for their quiet healing.

This artwork is inspired by the traditional Korean ritual of stacking stones, where each layer represents a wish or hope for blessings. I have gathered the wounds shared with me by others, transforming them into stones and symbolically stacking them. Each stone represents a prayer for their healing and well-being. Through this creative practice, I aim to convey that we all, including our physical bodies, are part of an ever-evolving journey.

The stacked stones piece is a video work. The stones appearing in the video are “scar stones” (artificial stones) wrapped in discarded paper bundles, which are covered with photographs of scars that people have shared with me.

Anicca (impermanence) means that everything is in a constant state of change and can never remain the same forever. This applies to the cells that make up our bodies as well—they are born, transform, and eventually die. New cells replace the dead ones, continuing the cycle of life. For instance, the epithelial cells lining the stomach live for about two and a half hours before disappearing, while red blood cells survive for approximately three months. Most somatic cells last around 25 to 30 days, and after a year, the majority of cells in our bodies have been replaced with new ones.

However, while some wounds disappear completely over time, others remain as scars, leaving a permanent mark. I compare this phenomenon to stones in nature. Stones gradually wear down and develop cracks due to natural elements such as temperature changes, water, and wind. This is a natural process that reflects the geological history and transformation of the Earth. Just as new cells replace dead ones in the body, allowing for healing and regeneration, stones also undergo continuous change through weathering and transformation, participating in nature’s cycle. In this way, stones can be seen as akin to the cells of a vast natural body.

I view skin as a natural entity, emphasising that the passage of time, change, and the traces left behind are all part of a natural process. Through this perspective, I aim to encourage reflection on the fact that our bodies—and everything we pay attention to—are part of nature’s ceaseless transformation. Moreover, I seek to explore the journey of growth and healing that each of us undergoes.

Stone stacks are very common in Korea, especially when visiting temples or hiking in the mountains. I consider them one of the most familiar forms of public art in Korea. Sometimes, a person places just one stone before continuing on their way, and then the next person adds another stone on top. This process repeats, resulting in a series of uniquely shaped stone stacks.