[FINE ARTS] SMoFA (Solti Museum of Fine Arts) - Calligraphy: Quiet Contemplation

Young, Regent University

Artist Statement — 靜觀 (Quiet Contemplation)

This work, 靜觀, begins with a reflection on the condition that must precede the act of seeing—namely, stillness. We constantly judge and interpret, yet how often do we truly encounter the world with a quiet mind? These two characters move beyond mere visual perception to signify an attitude of contemplative awareness: setting aside inner noise and meeting things as they are.

The concept of 靜觀 has been shaped across the broader tradition of East Asian thought. In Confucianism, it is understood as the disciplined cultivation of a calm mind through which the principles of things may be discerned. In Buddhism, it is emphasized as a practice of observing reality as it is, free from attachment. In Daoist philosophy, it appears as an attitude of following the natural flow, perceiving within the state of non-action. Within these traditions, 靜觀 is not passive observation, but a method and way of life that fundamentally transforms the depth of perception.

A historical figure who embodied such a life of contemplative stillness is Choi Rip (崔岦, 1539–1612), a mid-Joseon literati. Living through a turbulent era, he chose not to pursue external fame or power, but instead cultivated a life of quiet reflection in harmony with nature. His poetry and prose reveal restraint rather than ornament, and deep contemplation rather than rhetorical flourish—an expression not merely of literary taste, but of existential orientation. For him, “seeing” was not the recognition of outward form, but the inward reception of essence and flow. He did not objectify nature; rather, he entered into it, emptying himself in order to understand the world.

In this work, 靜 does not signify cessation, but preparation. It is the process of settling external disturbance and restoring inner balance, within which latent tension and vitality reside. 觀, by contrast, is the gaze that opens upon that stillness—a mode of perception that waits for things to reveal themselves, rather than imposing judgment. The two characters stand in contrast yet form a continuous movement, suggesting that stillness and insight are inseparable.

The movement of the brush traverses between control and release. Firm, grounded strokes gradually loosen and expand into open space. The dry brush and diffusion reveal moments of raw truth, while the empty space invites quiet contemplation. In particular, the final elongated stroke symbolizes the outward unfolding of vision arising from stillness, where rest and motion coexist within a single breath.

靜觀 is not merely a concept but a practice. It is both a way of seeing the external world and an inward gaze upon oneself. It calls for emptying the mind before accumulating knowledge, and for receiving existence as it is. This work poses a question: What do we see—and before that, how still are we?

Ultimately, this piece is an attempt to move beyond the act of seeing toward a reconsideration of the state that makes seeing possible. As the long tradition of East Asian thought and the life of Choi Rip suggest, true understanding begins not in noise, but in stillness. Within that stillness, the essence of things reveals itself, and the human being becomes deeply connected to the world. +++

{Solti}

May 3, 2026

Young Choi, PhD is a Professor at Regent University bringing a rare combination of technical expertise and creative spirit to everything he does. A scholar in AI, cybersecurity, and network & telecommunications service management, he has published 38 books including AI and cybersecurity area books, over 200 refereed articles, and over 20 book chapters. Beyond the academy, Dr. Choi is a passionate poet, essayist, and wooden block engraving artist whose reflective writing invites readers to rediscover life’s beauty in quiet contemplation(靜觀). He lives under the motto: “Study hard and give generously without holding back! (열심히 공부해서 아낌없이 남주자 !)”

Published books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Young-Choi/author/B0DMZ5S6R7?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true