Woo Kuk Won

Kukwon Woo

Valley of the Shadow of Death

$1,500

Limited edition

Edition of 50

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Kukwon Woo reaches across time, genre and philosophy in a satirical culture clash. 

Valley of the Shadow of Death’ combines two popular metaphors for the battle between good and evil. The first is from Psalm 23, a biblical prayer for comfort and strength in the face of evil. The second is from the Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, the science-fiction blockbuster. Woo reimagines Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader’s infamous duel on Cloud City on earthly terrain.

The duellers appear miniscule on a high mountain bridge, each wielding lightsabers like crosses at the head of a procession. Viewed in perspective, their grand battle appears inconsequential – like a game of dress up. However, Woo’s scrawled prayer reintroduces existential fears passed down through millenia. 

Our textured print edition is based on an original painting by Woo, which in turn was inspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e prints.

Personal experiences that leave a sensory impression on me—such as books, movies, music, philosophy, religion, or new emotions felt from the birth of my daughter—converge at the intersection with myself to become the motif of my work.

Kukwon Woo

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