Sungpil Chae

Biography

Sungpil Chae graduated with a BFA and MFA in Oriental Painting from Seoul National University and later completed an MFA in Plastic Arts at Université Rennes 2 in France. He is a contemporary artist known for his evocative earth- and water-based paintings that explore the elemental forces of nature. Deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy, his work captures the primordial harmony of the universe through organic processes using soil, ink, water, and natural pigments. Often referred to as the "Artist of Earth," he collects soil from different regions to use as both material and motif, creating immersive landscapes that resonate with memory and origin. His works have been widely exhibited across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., and are held in major public collections including the National Museum of Contemporary Art (Korea), Seoul Museum of Art, and Hôtel de Ville de Paris.