Collection: Sam Park Artist Biography and Art Gallery Collection

Born in 1949 in Seoul, Korea, Sung Sam Park began painting at the age of twelve. His talent and teaching abilities were quickly recognized, and by the age of thirteen, while still a junior high school student, he taught at the local high school. Early on, Sam Park attracted the attention of prominent artists and heads of state. Byun Si-Jin, former University president of Jai Island, was his private art teacher and mentor. The former president of South Korea, Yoo Bo-Sun, personally awarded him many First Places in the national competitions of the Mok-Woo Art Society.  Sam Park is still the youngest person ever to have competed in these competitions.

After graduating from Jung Ang University in 1973, Sam Park traveled to France, where he studied painting and lived with other young artists in Paris. While there, he evolved his vision of impressionism and hyper-realism. His artistic style today clearly reflects the inspiration of the French Impressionists. Park returned to Korea briefly in 1984 to participate in the national Olympic-sponsored art competition for the upcoming 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. With more than two thousand entrants in the competition, Park won and received a Gold Medal. Following the Olympics, Park’s painting was purchased by the Hyundai Corporation for permanent display at their corporate headquarters.

In 1986, Sam Park became a member of the jury of Heart and Mind Artists Association of Korea, an organization that assesses all artwork presented for juried competition in that nation. Park then returned to Europe, where he lived in Greece, Cyprus, and France. While living in Cyprus, Park was commissioned by the President of Cyprus to paint the First Lady’s portrait. This and five other paintings by Park are currently displayed in the collection in the Presidential Palace. A painting that Park did while in Greece was of Michael Dukakis’s birthplace and was later purchased by the former Governor of Massachusetts and presidential hopeful.

Known for his unique New Impressionism style, Sam Park transforms real-world scenes into beautiful landscapes with vivid light and awe-inspiring color combinations. The artist’s tenacity and dedication to his craft led to more than 100 solo exhibitions around the world. Park is recognized, acknowledged, and collected around the world. His artistic style is reminiscent of the great impressionist painters combined with a brilliant color palette. He is most renowned for his European landscapes and cityscapes. 

The internal prism through which Sam Park refracts the scene before him produces a soft, romantic light, a manifestation of the sense of harmony and serenity that he seeks to experience and convey. While some artists seek to challenge and confront the viewer, Park seeks to reassure. Soon the canvas is filled with beautiful, refreshing, invigorating color, as if you could feel the gentle breezes that are blowing in from the Mediterranean. Park’s ability to capture light and paint subject matter of a broad range has contributed to his tremendous success and acknowledgment throughout the world. Of his technique, Park states, “If I can capture the sky, from whose light all color flows, I know the rest of the picture will fall into place. Next I paint the sea. Finally, I fill in that which lies between.”