BIOS
VISUAL ARTIST
Bohnchang Koo – one of Korea's most influential photographers, was born in Seoul, Korea in 1953. At their heart, Korean photographer Bohnchang Koo´s exquisitely beautiful images of vessels, the sea, or pine needles on snow reference the fleeting nature of life.
Mr. Koo has been at the forefront of promoting the work of Korean contemporary photographers outside of Korea. Using examples from the exhibition, “Chaotic Harmony: Contemporary Korean Photography” at many of his exhibitions in America, Koo talks about the artistic evolution of his work and that of his contemporaries within the context of Korea´s astonishing transformation from one of the poorest countries on earth to a major world power over the last 50 years.
Koo is the Chairman of Geonhi Art Foundation (2000-present) and served as Artistic Director of the 2008 Daegu Photo Biennale. He received his business administration degree from Yonsei University (1971-75), Seoul. He went on to study in Hamburg receiving his Diploma from Fachhochschule (Photography 1980-85). Koo has lectured in Hamburg, at the Chung-Ang University, Seoul; International Fellowship, Stanley Picker Gallery, Kingston University, London (1997); Professor of Photography, Kaywon College of Art & Design, Seoul; Guest Professor, Pentiment, Hamburg Summer School, (2004). Mr. Koo was appointed as a Distinguished Professor at Kyong Il University in 2009.
In 2000 he won the Lee Myoungdong Prize, Korea and in 2003, the Gangwon Documentary Prize of Korea. His solo exhibitions have appeared in major museums and galleries around the world including: Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Hamburg, Osaka, Kyoto, Philadelphia, and Denmark. In addition, his work has been exhibited in group showings around the world since 1992 including London, Madrid, Seoul, USA, and Stockholm.