One day, a boy of five years old woke up to find that nobody was home. After searching his empty house, he found he had been left in the care of a housekeeper- who told him his grandmother was in critical condition, and his mom had rushed to Busan to be with her. For five days, the boy and his younger brother anxiously stared out a window overlooking an orchard, hoping to catch sight of the train that would bring their mother home. The boy clung to his cat, finding solace in its silent companionship as he waited for whatever news the train brought.

That boy was me. For those five days, I willed the train to come quicker, dragging it through the window into our home.  Using the contrast between achromatic and chromatic colors, I hope to express old memories embedded in my subconscious using time as a background. 

Waiting for a Train

We’re all rushing to get somewhere in life. Work, marriage, home… Yet, when our plans falter and our schedules diverge from perfection, it can leave us feeling adrift, as if we've missed our chance forever. But life is not just a commute from the beginning to the “end of the line.” Delays are inevitable, and sometimes, a detour turns out to be the most scenic route after all. As a businessman turned artist, Yeo Dong Chan understands this journey well. 

Waiting for a Train" heralds the dawn of Yeo's late-in-life artistic career, a testament to the enduring belief that it's never too late to chase one's dreams. Like a train station bustling with arrivals and departures, life offers myriad opportunities for reinvention and renewal. For those who fear they've missed their chance, Yeo's story serves as a poignant reminder that the next train is always on the horizon, ready to carry passengers towards their destinies when they're ready to embark.

OrangeHare x Yeo Dong Chan

One day, I caught sight of my departed father's reflection staring back at me in the mirror, evoking a deep ache and longing. Later, upon returning from visiting my mother in a nursing home due to her dementia, I found her presence also reflected back at me. This encounter underscores the notion that a child embodies aspects of both parents, showcasing the enduring love of remarkable guardians. Symbolically represented in distinct colors, my father's rational and outward-focused persona stands opposite my mother's static and nurturing nature. My own reflection in the mirror serves as a harmonious blend of their hues, symbolizing the fusion of their qualities within me.

Alter Ego

This is the first work in my “Rain” series, which portrays raindrops as a collection of water droplets captured on a glass surface, inviting viewers to interpret their own meanings and emotions. The background hue is a blend of diverse colors, while the sensation of rain is evoked through a scratch technique. Underneath these scratches lie an array of colors, representing the multitude of emotions that rain can evoke. The significance of each raindrop is magnified, emphasizing the immersive experience of rainfall.

Raindrops

Yeo Dong Chan's journey embodies the fusion of business acumen and artistic passion. As a former director at a Samsung Group affiliate and later the founder of an investment company, Yeo navigated the corporate landscape with finesse. However, beneath his businessman facade lay an aspiring artist, nurtured by childhood dreams of creation. Like Paul Gauguin, who transitioned from securities dealer to celebrated painter, Yeo's artistic talents transcended his professional pursuits.

Despite societal and familial expectations steering him towards business administration, Yeo's heart remained tethered to the realm of art. In his spare moments, he retreated to his studio, channeling his innermost aspirations onto canvas. Those acquainted solely with his corporate persona were astounded upon encountering his remarkable artwork, which exuded the sophistication of a seasoned painter.

As Yeo's artistry blossomed, so did his commitment to nurturing emerging talents and bolstering the art industry. In his role as CEO of an investment company, he strategically invested in art ventures, championing the growth of younger artists and innovative projects. His dual roles as businessman and artist underscore the intertwined nature of his journey, wherein each pursuit enriches the other.

"Waiting for a Train" heralds the dawn of Yeo's late-in-life artistic career, a testament to the enduring belief that it's never too late to chase one's dreams. Like a train station bustling with arrivals and departures, life offers myriad opportunities for reinvention and renewal. For those who fear they've missed their chance, Yeo's story serves as a poignant reminder that the next train is always on the horizon, ready to carry passengers towards their destinies when they're ready to embark.

- Exhibition -
The 28th International Watercolor Exhibition of Asia in Seoul. (2022)
The 12th Asia Art Alliance Exhibition in Singapore. (2023)
The 42nd Contemporary Art Exhibition in Osaka (2023)

Artist YEO DONG CHAN

This artwork distills the essence of happiness. A new house reflected in the living room window, amidst nature, with loved ones and a faithful dog. Composed in contemporary colors and composition, I painted this on a sunny May afternoon after our home had just been completed. A place that took two years to build, but a lifetime to create.   

Happy Place

We’re all rushing to get somewhere in life. Work, marriage, home… Yet, when our plans falter and our schedules diverge from perfection, it can leave us feeling adrift, as if we've missed our chance forever. But life is not just a commute from the beginning to the “end of the line.” Delays are inevitable, and sometimes, a detour turns out to be the most scenic route after all. As a businessman turned artist, Yeo Dong Chan understands this journey well. 

"Waiting for a Train" heralds the dawn of Yeo's late-in-life artistic career, a testament to the enduring belief that it's never too late to chase one's dreams. Like a train station bustling with arrivals and departures, life offers myriad opportunities for reinvention and renewal. For those who fear they've missed their chance, Yeo's story serves as a poignant reminder that the next train is always on the horizon, ready to carry passengers towards their destinies when they're ready to embark.


Waiting for a Train by Yeo Dong Chan