Jean Paul Guode - The Queen of Seoul - Essay Example

“So Far, So Goude” details his work from the late 1960s till the present times. The writings and descriptions are autobiographical in nature. Apart from other merits, latent humor is an aspect that is worth highlighting about his art. In the art world, he is like an octopus that grows in all directions. He arrived in the art-world like an avalanche, and specialized in its various branches. He was not an old-fashioned individual and adopted the latest trends with mesmerizing effect. The book contains 350 illustrations in full color that appeal to lovers of art in all genres and also to the commercial world.

The commercial design and the advertising world will love this book as Goude has made a mark in this area by working for Lee Cooper, Cacharel and Chanel etc. The book is candidly autobiographical. To sum up the merits of the book in one sentence, the book can be compared to an artwork and the author terms it as yet another opportunity to describe his life, so far. He is the creator and the critic of the artistic achievements in his life. He terms it as the personal archaeological dig, meaning thereby he goes deep into his self-assessment and the depth of artistry in him.

Though he never missed the commercial viewpoint, to him work of art was a mission, not commission. It was not just an aggrandizement to amass more and more wealth. He acknowledges the great influence his mother had on him and she was the inspiration behind his artistic pursuits and achievements. He terms her as ‘the real star of the family.’ When putting into canvas the artistic talents, a genius artist always remains in communion with his soul. True art according to Jean Paul Goude, must reflect the total personality of an artist, his strengths and weaknesses, values and obsessions.

The microscopes with which one examines oneself needs to be thoroughly impartial and should not spare the societal failings, and he should never exclude himself for own shortcomings. Besides, this book includes hundreds of little-known photographs and previously unseen drawings. I refer to the photograph of 1994 done in Paris and named ' The Queen of Seoul. When he was on working on his feature film, he was introduced to a girl named Karen, by his friend. It was love and admiration at first sight.

Admiring her beauty in that first meeting he wrote, (2006) “What a lovely little character!” It was a genuine outburst of inspiration that had materialized all of a sudden-a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a very long time.” Karen proved to be his inspiration. She was a Korean, and her association kindled curiosity in him to know more about Korea. He made a thorough reading of the biography of Meungsunghwaunghoo, the last queen of Korea and a martyr of the Korean resistance against the Japanese invasion.

As he continued with his study on Korea, Karen inspired him with another idea. That was about meeting the challenge of violence of Japanese invasion, through non-violent methods, like Mahatma Gandhi, who believed and practiced non-violence. Within the limited scope of this essay, I would like to take up just one of his work. She is wearing a western crown. Her costumes are of Korean tradition. She has a sword in her right hand and baton in her left hand. She has an angry look and stares to generate fear in the mind of the viewer.

Baton symbolizes the power to control. The inscription on the stand (box) below the photograph reads in Korean, “