"Who Cares" can both question and assert. In Korea, every male is conscripted into military service, leading many to become victims of the system. Some emerge with physical or psychological scars, while others are veterans of the Korean War. Yet, a stark reality looms over the prevailing indifference. The government offers minimal assistance to these struggling souls, forcing them to grapple with a corrupt system to claim their rights.
This narrative mirrors the experiences of my kin; one of whom, after a devastating car crash that left him unable to engage in activities, had to fight the system to prove his injuries stemmed from his military service.
My artwork manifests these issues. The composition, set below eye level, narrows the focal point, making the viewer feel the gravity and compression. A central figure is bound in bandages, symbolizing the wounded and ignored. Chaos ensues around him, with figures clashing for reasons unknown. Their eyes remain obscured, a testament to society's aversion to confronting the issue. Yet, their unified blue colour suggests unity amidst the conflict. The central figure, painted in muted grey and positioned lower, epitomizes the overlooked and forsaken, silently pleading for acknowledgment and care in a world that seems to ask -
Who's really caring?
