Disabled painter renders hope, inspiration in exhibition

‘The Motocycle on the Tightrope,’ the latest work of Dennis Han, is said to have been influenced by the work of Matisse, Chagall and Rouault.

Dennis Han, 35, a Korean-American disabled painter, opened exhibition Tuesday (Sept. 18) at the Dream Forest Art Center to continue until the end of this year (Dec. 30).  He has become famous by holding an exhibition at the UN Headquarters last April for the first time among the physically handicapped artists in the world.

The art center, operated by Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, decided to have the special exhibition under the theme “With-Precious Meeting” on the occasion of its third opening anniversary. His works are displayed at the Imagination TokTok Gallery in the Art Center.

The exhibition shows almost all of his works ranging from the sketches of his early days to latest works, estimated having been influenced by Matisse, Chagall and Rouault due to their strong color.

The works particularly attracting people’s interest include his sketches of Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, drawn before he met Ban last April when his works were shown at the UN Headquarters. 

Dennis Han(left) guides UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, centre, and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek,right, during the exhibition at UN last Arpil.

Kim Nam-ju david9303@theasian.asia