At its core, a fable is fanciful fiction—stories passed down through the ages to convey moral insights about the universe. But does that make their search for Truth any less real? In "Fortune Seekers," artist Chae Tongyull brings to life a cast of characters on a very real quest to unravel their own destinies. Masked in symbolism, these two pieces delve into the rich tapestry of Medieval folklore, where magic was palpable, and stories unfurled before our very eyes. Much like us, these characters seek to find fortune in a confusing world, and in doing so, explore the profound connection between imagination and reality.
 
These pieces are based on Chae Tongyull’s breakout series “Medieval Tales” from the 1980s and given new life through Midjourney.

* If you purchased 5 or more items from the "Fortune Seeker by Chae Tongyull" collection, please write down your address in the below google form!

https://forms.gle/r7R24qN9iGoFa5Pq9

OrangeHare x Chae Tongyull

Chae’s breakout exhibition in 1986, Medieval Tales, was a love letter to the lore of centuries past and a test of his artistic ability to convey his passion for literature on canvas. Harnessing his brush like a sword and referencing everything from Arthurian legends to the writings of magical realists Italo Calvino and Anthony Burgess, Chae had emerged as a direct contender against the “edgy” art styles that had become trendy in the East Village of the 1980s.
 
Like characters in a play, the subjects of this series—kings, queens, jesters, knights—seem to appear as apparitions amidst a shifting background that is intentionally flattened in the style of the Middle Ages. By ignoring the conventions of perspective and emphasis on realism that developed during the Renaissance, Chae succeeds in creating a tension that magnifies the subject of his work and casts the canvas as an isolated realm where science and reason have not yet solidified.
 
The theatrically rendered protagonists that inhabit this world are not “real” in the physical sense, nor do they pretend to be. They are steeped in symbolism, existing only through our collective folklore, imagination, and artistic interpretations. Although separated by time and distance, Medieval Tales succeeded in bringing the fantasy of these far-away places and to life, and through the use of exaggeration, Chae leaves the mystery of these magical worlds intact, urging his audience to dive a little deeper, and travel a little farther, to find their own truths in his art.

About Medieval Tales

Chae Tongyull has participated in various international exhibitions and gallery shows, including within the Bronfman Center in Montreal, Saatchi & Saatchi in NYC, "And the Beat Goes On" in Shanghai and Chengdu," and more. Additionally, his works are part of permanent collections of the Korean National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Samsung Lium Art Museum, Daelim Art Museum, and Daejeon Expo.

Chae Tongyull

At its core, a fable is fanciful fiction—stories passed down through the ages to convey moral insights about the universe. But does that make their search for Truth any less real? In "Fortune Seekers," artist Chae Tongyull brings to life a cast of characters on a very real quest to unravel their own destinies. Masked in symbolism, these two pieces delve into the rich tapestry of Medieval folklore, where magic was palpable, and stories unfurled before our very eyes. Much like us, these characters seek to find fortune in a confusing world, and in doing so, explore the profound connection between imagination and reality.
 
These pieces are based on Chae Tongyull’s breakout series “Medieval Tales” from the 1980s and given new life through Midjourney.

Fortune Seekers by Chae Tongyull

If you purchased 5 or more items from the "Fortune Seeker by Chae Tongyull" collection, please write down your address in the below google form!

https://forms.gle/r7R24qN9iGoFa5Pq9

NOTICE

Once upon a time, three strangers were invited to a mysterious card game. 

The winner was promised wealth and wonders beyond imagination, but the summoner remained shrouded in secrecy- as were their motives. 

Suspecting one another of weaving a web of fate, the players donned masks to conceal their desires and dual-sided personas. As each participant strove to fulfill their fate with intricate strategies and sleight of hand, these enchanted artifacts became shields against the watchful eye of one another, and of destiny itself.

Amidst this mystical gathering around a table of destiny, a wise sheep, drawn by the spectacle, observed the unquiet silence of the card game with interest. Indifferent to the lure of material gain, the sheep fixed its gaze not on the potential winner but on the mesmerizing dance of the cards. It cared not for the triumph of one over the other but reveled in the enchantment of the unfolding tale.

The masked strangers, veiled in concealed secrets and driven by their own interests, remained indifferent to the sheep- focusing solely on the wordless gazes and unspoken exchanges that beckon their hands toward destiny. A fable etched in visual poetry, the mystical Cards Players weave the ongoing story of fate, always guided by a mysterious summoner who remains just behind the scenes. 

Production assisted by MidJourney

Table of Destiny

Etherscan

Once upon a time, in a small and tranquil village, a captivating tale of 'Destiny and Fortune' unfolded. 

Each resident of the village had their own story: tales of success, trials, and the unpredictable dance of fate abounded. These experiences filled the air with admiration and wonder, but also intense curiosity. Who controlled their destinies?

One day, as the sun dipped low, the residents could contain their curiosity no longer. They gathered in the village square to ask one another, “What is our destiny? Who controls our fortune?” 

Nobody had the answer. Thus, the truth emerged. 

Destiny and fortune reside within us. They are shaped by our everyday choices and actions, and above all else, by our empathy and mutual support for one another. 

By the time the sun rose the next morning, 'Destiny and Fortune' no longer ruled their lives. Their fortune lay in their shared fate. With this in mind, the villagers set out to take control of their destinies and worked toward creating a collective, brighter future- together.

Production assisted by MidJourney