Biography
PARK Youngsook (b. 1941) is a first-generation female photographer in South Korea who has played a significant role in the history of modern Korean photography and the feminist movement. PARK is known for her provocative portrait photography that emphasizes femininity, which has historically and socially been regarded as a target of exclusion and discomfort. By placing the female body at the forefront of her work, PARK challenges societal oppression, absurdities, and the sexual power structures surrounding women's bodies and identities. PARK is best known for her series Mad Women (1999), which subverts conventional ideas about women constrained by patriarchal social structures. Her work, which visualizes the female body, is a product of her feminist activism, reflecting her efforts to address women's gender roles and sexual identities. Building on this series, she developed various other projects such as Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit (2002), Project for Money Reformation (2003), and WOMAD, Goddess in the 21st Century (2004). She also explored gender issues and the cultural roles of Asian women, which were socially taboo at the time, in works like Lesbian Wedding (2003), Monsieur Butterfly (2003), and Feminists in Osaka and Tokyo (2004).
 
Born in Cheonan in 1941, PARK Youngsook graduated with a BA in History at Sookmyung Women's University and later acheived an MFA in Photography and Design at the same University's Graduate School. In 1975, she was invited to the Equality, Development, Peace exhibition organized by the Women's Association in celebration of the UN-designated "International Women's Year". Her photographic works, which focused on various women's realities and social issues, garnered attention. In the 1980s, as she entered her 40s, PARK solidified her identity as a feminist. PARK has exhibited her work at prominent domestic and international art museums, including the the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, the Gwangju Museum of Art, and Hanmi Museum of Photography. She also participated in the 2002 Gwangju Biennale. In 2006, she founded Trunk Gallery, which operated until 2019. In 2016, PARK's large-scale solo exhibition was held at ARARIO GALLERY CHEONAN. PARK's works are part of the collections of numerous institutions, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Art, Hanmi Museum of Photography, Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Sungkok Art Museum, National Human Rights Commission of Korea, Ewha Womans University, and Sookmyung Women's University.
Works
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 1, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 1, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 10, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 10, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 11, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 11, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 12, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 12, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 13, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 13, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 14, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 14, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 15, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 15, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 16, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 16, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 17, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 17, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 18, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 18, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 2, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 2, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 3, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 3, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 4, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 4, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 5, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 5, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 6, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 6, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 7, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 7, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 8, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 8, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, Tears of a Shadow 9, 2019
    Tears of a Shadow 9, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, 그림자의 눈물 5 | Tears of a Shadow 5, 2019
    그림자의 눈물 5 | Tears of a Shadow 5, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, 그림자의 눈물 7 | Tears of a Shadow 7, 2019
    그림자의 눈물 7 | Tears of a Shadow 7, 2019
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #1, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #1, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #10, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #10, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #11, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #11, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #12, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #12, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #13, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #13, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #14, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #14, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #2, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #2, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #3, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #3, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #4, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #4, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #5, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #5, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #7, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #7, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #8, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #8, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, A Flower Shakes Her #9, 2005
    A Flower Shakes Her #9, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, Witch Within Me #1, 2005
    Witch Within Me #1, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, Witch Within Me #2, 2005
    Witch Within Me #2, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, Witch Within Me #3, 2005
    Witch Within Me #3, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, Witch Within Me #4, 2005
    Witch Within Me #4, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, Witch Within Me #5, 2005
    Witch Within Me #5, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, Witch Within Me #6, 2005
    Witch Within Me #6, 2005
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #1, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #1, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #10, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #10, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #11, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #11, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #2, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #2, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #3, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #3, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #4, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #4, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #5, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #5, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #5-1, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #5-1, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #6, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #6, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Osaka #7, 2004
    Feminists in Osaka #7, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Tokyo #3, 2004
    Feminists in Tokyo #3, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Tokyo #4, 2004
    Feminists in Tokyo #4, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Tokyo #5, 2004
    Feminists in Tokyo #5, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Tokyo #6, 2004
    Feminists in Tokyo #6, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Tokyo #7, 2004
    Feminists in Tokyo #7, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Tokyo #8, 2004
    Feminists in Tokyo #8, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Feminists in Tokyo #9, 2004
    Feminists in Tokyo #9, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, WOMAD-Goddess of Indignation, 2004
    WOMAD-Goddess of Indignation, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, WOMAD-Goddess of Love and Passion, 2004
    WOMAD-Goddess of Love and Passion, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, WOMAD-Goddess of Mother Earth and Fertility, 2004
    WOMAD-Goddess of Mother Earth and Fertility, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, WOMAD-Goddess of Salvation and Death, 2004
    WOMAD-Goddess of Salvation and Death, 2004
  • PARK Youngsook, Lesbian Wedding #1, 2003
    Lesbian Wedding #1, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Lesbian Wedding #2, 2003
    Lesbian Wedding #2, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Lesbian Wedding #3, 2003
    Lesbian Wedding #3, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Lesbian Wedding #4, 2003
    Lesbian Wedding #4, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Lesbian Wedding #5, 2003
    Lesbian Wedding #5, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Monsieur Butterfly #1, 2003
    Monsieur Butterfly #1, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Monsieur Butterfly #2, 2003
    Monsieur Butterfly #2, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Monsieur Butterfly #5, 2003
    Monsieur Butterfly #5, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Monsieur Butterfly #6, 2003
    Monsieur Butterfly #6, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Monsieur Butterfly #7, 2003
    Monsieur Butterfly #7, 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Project for Money Reformation #1 (The Guardian Grandmother), 2003
    Project for Money Reformation #1 (The Guardian Grandmother), 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Project for Money Reformation #2(Heo Nan Seol Heon), 2003
    Project for Money Reformation #2(Heo Nan Seol Heon), 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Project for Money Reformation #3 (Kang, the wife of Prince Sohyun), 2003
    Project for Money Reformation #3 (Kang, the wife of Prince Sohyun), 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Project for Money Reformation #4(Empress Min), 2003
    Project for Money Reformation #4(Empress Min), 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Project for Money Reformation #5(Na Hae Suk), 2003
    Project for Money Reformation #5(Na Hae Suk), 2003
  • PARK Youngsook, Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit #1, 2002
    Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit #1, 2002
  • PARK Youngsook, Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit #2, 2002
    Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit #2, 2002
  • PARK Youngsook, Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit #3, 2002
    Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit #3, 2002
  • PARK Youngsook, Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit #4, 2002
    Imprisoned Body, Wandering Spirit #4, 2002
  • PARK Youngsook, Sexuality is Lost for Women #1, 2001
    Sexuality is Lost for Women #1, 2001
  • PARK Youngsook, Sexuality is Lost for Women #2, 2001
    Sexuality is Lost for Women #2, 2001
  • PARK Youngsook, Sexuality is Lost for Women #4, 2001
    Sexuality is Lost for Women #4, 2001
  • PARK Youngsook, Mad Women's #2, 1999
    Mad Women's #2, 1999
  • PARK Youngsook, Mad Women's #3, 1999
    Mad Women's #3, 1999
  • PARK Youngsook, Mad Women's #6, 1999
    Mad Women's #6, 1999
  • PARK Youngsook, Mad Women's #7, 1999
    Mad Women's #7, 1999
  • PARK Youngsook, Mad Women’s #1 미친년들 #1, 1999
    Mad Women’s #1 미친년들 #1, 1999
  • PARK Youngsook, Mad Women’s #4, 1999
    Mad Women’s #4, 1999
  • PARK Youngsook, Mad Women’s #5, 1999
    Mad Women’s #5, 1999
  • PARK Youngsook, Body and Sexuality #1 육체 그리고 성 #1, 1998
    Body and Sexuality #1 육체 그리고 성 #1, 1998
  • PARK Youngsook, Body and Sexuality #2 육체 그리고 성 #2, 1998
    Body and Sexuality #2 육체 그리고 성 #2, 1998
  • PARK Youngsook, Body and Sexuality #3 육체 그리고 성 #3, 1998
    Body and Sexuality #3 육체 그리고 성 #3, 1998
  • PARK Youngsook, Body and Sexuality #4 육체 그리고 성 #4, 1998
    Body and Sexuality #4 육체 그리고 성 #4, 1998
  • PARK Youngsook, Body and Sexuality #5 육체 그리고 성 #5, 1998
    Body and Sexuality #5 육체 그리고 성 #5, 1998
  • PARK Youngsook, Rose, 1988
    Rose, 1988
  • PARK Youngsook, Witch, 1988
    Witch, 1988
  • PARK Youngsook, 결혼, 1988
    결혼, 1988
  • PARK Youngsook, 땅 임자가 뉘시오, 1988
    땅 임자가 뉘시오, 1988
  • PARK Youngsook, 먼 길 떠난 할머니, 1988
    먼 길 떠난 할머니, 1988
  • PARK Youngsook, 미래를 향하여, 1988
    미래를 향하여, 1988
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 건축가 김원, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 건축가 김원, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 금속공예가 김재영, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 금속공예가 김재영, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 농구선수 박신자, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 농구선수 박신자, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 무대연출가, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 무대연출가, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 섬유공예가 안순이, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 섬유공예가 안순이, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 손석진, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 손석진, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 손숙, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 손숙, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 시인 김영태, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 시인 김영태, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 신달자, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 신달자, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 연극의상 최보경, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 연극의상 최보경, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 의상디자이너 트로아 조, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 의상디자이너 트로아 조, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 작곡가 백병동, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 작곡가 백병동, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 한미사진미술관 관장 송영숙, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 한미사진미술관 관장 송영숙, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 한영애, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 한영애, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 홍승연, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 홍승연, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 화가 석란희, 1981
    Portraiture of 36 Friends | 36인의 포트레이트 - 화가 석란희, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, 조기현, 1981
    조기현, 1981
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #38 장면 #38, 1967
    Scene #38 장면 #38, 1967
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #40 장면 #40, 1966
    Scene #40 장면 #40, 1966
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #10 장면 #10, 1963
    Scene #10 장면 #10, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #11 장면 #11, 1963
    Scene #11 장면 #11, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #13 장면 #13, 1963
    Scene #13 장면 #13, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #14 장면 #14, 1963
    Scene #14 장면 #14, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #15 장면 #15, 1963
    Scene #15 장면 #15, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #16 장면 #16, 1963
    Scene #16 장면 #16, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #19 장면 #19, 1963
    Scene #19 장면 #19, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #2 장면 #2, 1963
    Scene #2 장면 #2, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #24 장면 #24, 1963
    Scene #24 장면 #24, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #25 장면 #25, 1963
    Scene #25 장면 #25, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #26 장면 #26, 1963
    Scene #26 장면 #26, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #32 장면 #32, 1963
    Scene #32 장면 #32, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #34 장면 #34, 1963
    Scene #34 장면 #34, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #35 장면 #35, 1963
    Scene #35 장면 #35, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #37 장면 #37, 1963
    Scene #37 장면 #37, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #41 장면 #41, 1963
    Scene #41 장면 #41, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #42 장면 #42, 1963
    Scene #42 장면 #42, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #43 장면 #43, 1963
    Scene #43 장면 #43, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #44 장면 #44, 1963
    Scene #44 장면 #44, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #46 장면 #46, 1963
    Scene #46 장면 #46, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #6 장면 #6, 1963
    Scene #6 장면 #6, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #7 장면 #7, 1963
    Scene #7 장면 #7, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #8 장면 #8, 1963
    Scene #8 장면 #8, 1963
  • PARK Youngsook, Scene #9 장면 #9, 1963
    Scene #9 장면 #9, 1963
Exhibitions
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