CNU has completed the production of a large statue of Yoo Gwan-soon, a project that was on the verge of failure, and will be able to inaugurate the statue at the Seodaemun Historical Park in Seoul in May as scheduled.
According to the project team of Professor Kim Dae-gil and Professor Park Jeong-yong of the CNU Department of Fine Arts, they recently finished the production of the statue, which they started at the end of last year with the clay prototypes of large-sized statues of Yoo Gwan-soon, standing at 4 meters high and 1.8 meters wide. The final process to complete the bronze mold casting and put the liquid copper in it will finish the statue.
Professor Kim Dae-gil said, “The statue of Yoo Gwan-soon is established based on the dynamic expression of the firm will of the 'Independence of Korea' based on the concept of 'Jeanne d'Arc of the East.' We focused on her strong will more than other characteristics including her sympathy.”
Professor Kim also said, “There are many things to consider when sculptures are installed in outdoor spaces, such as proportions and the location of light, even the condition of the place. Even though there are existing statues of Yoo in many places including Jangchung Dong, the Former Seodaemun Prison would be the ideal place to install it historically as we try to deliver this message to future generations.”
The statue shows an impressive gesture of Yoo running barefoot holding a Taegeukgi in her right hand, while wearing a skirt and jeogori. Instructors including Park Hyung-oh and Yoon Jong-ho, along with undergraduate and undergraduate students participated in the statue’s production. Professor Yang Sook-hyang (Sunchon National University) and Professor Emeritus Lee Tae-ho (Myongji University) conducted the historical research for the clothing.
The statue of Yoo Gwan-soon was supposed to be designed and produced by Professor Emeritus Kim Haeng-shin and set up by 2020, which is the 100th anniversary of Yoo’s death with the request of Yoo’s death as requested by the Yoo Gwan-soon Memorial Foundation. The project was on the verge of cancellation as Professor Emeritus Kim suddenly passed away last October.
The project was reinitiated by communication between Kim Si-nae, a lecturer at CNU and the daughter of Professor Emeritus Kim, along with Professor Kim Dae-gil.
Professor Kim Dae-Gil said, “Sculptors of CNU have a reputation for being strong in depicting reality and sharp in expression. We are proud of participating in the project to build the statue in the historically important place bearing the name of CNU.”
