'Meeting the Seasons, Blooming into a Flower'... Kim Jongok's Lotus Flower Photo Exhibition

Moments of Lotus Flowers Captured Through a Smartphone Lens

Exhibition Runs Until August 30

Modern Literature Reference Room, Haman Complex Literature Center

A photo exhibition reflecting on the meaning of seasons and connections through lotus flowers is being held at the Haman Complex Literature Center in Gyeongnam.

Until August 30, the first-floor Modern Literature Reference Room is presenting photographer Kim Jongok's lotus flower photo exhibition, titled 'Sijeolinyeon'.

Running since July 1, the exhibition is themed 'The Seeds of Connection Long Carried, Finally Meeting the Season to Bloom'.

'The Ties of Time' Lotus Flower Photography Exhibition by artist Kim Jongok.

The title 'Sijeolinyeon' is a play on the Korean phrase 'Sijeolinyeon', meaning that every connection and event comes to fruition only when it meets the right time. Here, the last syllable 'yeon' (meaning 'connection') is replaced with 'yeon' meaning 'lotus flower', giving the title a dual meaning.

It conveys, in a layered way, the bonds between people and the lotus flowers that bloom and wither with the seasons.

Notably, the exhibition centers on images of lotus flowers captured not with professional cameras, but with a commonly used smartphone in everyday life.

Photographer Kim Jongok captured various moments of lotus flowers changing with the seasons through a smartphone lens, from blooms appearing on tranquil water to lotus flowers standing tall against a blue sky.

Through the exhibition, Kim expressed the hope that "the pure moments of lotus flowers blossoming with the changing seasons will linger in visitors' hearts as a gentle fragrance."

In 2025, Kim held a solo lotus flower photo exhibition titled 'Inyeon' at the Ara Gallery in Haman Library.

In 2007, Kim presented a solo exhibition and the photo book 'The World of Egrets' at Haman Cultural & Arts Center.

Kim currently serves as an advisor for the Korea Photographers Association and as an auditor for the Changwon branch, as well as an invited artist for the Gyeongnam Photo Exhibition and a judge for photography contests.

This exhibition stands out by showcasing the vibrant life force of lotus flowers and the changing seasons through an everyday lens, rather than technical flourish. It also highlights the growing recognition of smartphone photography as a form of photographic art.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.