A South Korean painter has dedicated six years of his life to capturing the essence of one of the country's most treasured natural monuments. Choi Seon-gil, 63, has spent nearly every day for the past six years painting the magnificent Bangye-ri ginkgo tree, a 1,300-year-old giant located in Munmak-eup, Wonju, Gangwon Province. His extraordinary commitment has resulted in over 200 paintings and a recently published book titled "One Day, I Met a Tree."
The ancient ginkgo tree that inspired Choi's devotion stands as an impressive natural monument, reaching 32 meters in height with a diameter of 16.27 meters. Every autumn, the tree becomes a social media sensation as visitors flock to photograph its spectacular golden foliage. The tree's seasonal transformation draws countless admirers, but none have observed it as closely or consistently as Choi, who may have unknowingly crossed paths with many of these visitors during his daily painting sessions.
Choi's journey with the tree began in November 2019 when he first encountered a photograph of the ginkgo on social media. Living just a 20-30 minute drive away in Buro-myeon, Wonju, where he had relocated a few years earlier, Choi was immediately drawn to visit the tree in person. Despite having painted trees throughout his artistic career, this encounter felt uniquely different. "I immediately thought, I have to paint this tree for a long time," he recalled during a phone interview.
Originally planning to paint the tree for just one year, Choi found himself visiting almost daily, never growing tired of his subject. "If I paint for five hours, the changing light and subtle movements create different expressions on the tree," he explained. This commitment to capturing the tree's ever-changing nature is why Choi insists on working outdoors rather than from photographs, believing that the sense of time embedded in painting can only be achieved through direct observation.
After completing his first year of work and holding a solo exhibition, Choi returned to the tree to express his gratitude. However, after just two weeks away, he was struck by how unfamiliar the tree felt. "Its form, energy, everything felt new again," he said. "That's when I decided not to set any limits and just keep drawing." This moment marked the beginning of what would become a six-year artistic and spiritual journey.
The extended relationship with the tree has profoundly changed Choi's approach to art and observation. Having taught students for more than 20 years, he often emphasized the importance of close observation and seeing what others cannot. "But I realized I had been seeing things the way I wanted to see them," he reflected. "After painting this tree for so long, unexpected forms began to emerge. Letting go of my own ideas and simply seeing what appears – that is what has changed the most."
During the winter months, when tourists disappear and the tree stands bare and solitary, Choi finds a special connection with its quiet presence. He describes these moments as particularly meaningful, seeing himself reflected in the tree's peaceful solitude. Even after six years, Choi maintains that the tree continues to reveal new aspects each time he observes it, making every painting session a fresh discovery.
Choi's dedication has culminated in more than 200 paintings of the ancient ginkgo, and his artistic journey has been documented in his book "One Day, I Met a Tree," which combines his paintings with personal reflections on his time with the natural monument. Speaking about his relationship with the tree, Choi described it as transformative: "I went through a process where many of my thoughts ripened under that tree. The tree has become a great teacher."
Currently, Choi's work is being showcased in a solo exhibition titled "Song of a Thousand Years: Epic of Autumn" at the Artcube 2R2 Gallery in Seoul's Gangnam District. The exhibition, which runs through December 17, displays the fruits of his six-year commitment to capturing the essence of the ancient ginkgo tree through different seasons and changing light conditions.
When asked about his future plans with the tree, Choi's response reflects the deep spiritual connection he has developed over the years. "Until the tree naturally tells me, 'You don't need to come anymore,'" he replied, indicating that his artistic journey with the ginkgo is far from over. As winter approaches, he prepares to once again sit beneath the ancient tree, ready to continue his remarkable artistic dialogue with this 1,300-year-old living monument.
