Choi Jeong Hwa’s work is hard to resist. Lively, vibrant, even gaudy, his large-scale inflatable fabric or fiberglass sculptures of flowers and fruit offer a riotous explosion of colour. The infectious pleasure which his sculptures induce is often reflected in their titles - from Happy Together (2004) to Happy, Happy, Happy(2003), or two new works for the Mori Art Museum's opening show Happiness, Choi Jeong Hwa’s sculptures appear infinitely joyful.

Part of the pleasure of his work lies in its simplicity. With their bold colours and easily recognisable forms, the works are accessible to all. But this familiarity of form derives less from the world of nature (despite the frequent occurrence of flowers and fruit) than from the everyday landscape of contemporary consumer culture. This is the source of Choi Jeong Hwa’s inspiration and materials (plastic, man-made fabric, fiberglass). A celebration but also a critique of consumerism, if his works are pleasurable to the eye, then they also question the nature of the pleasure they give.

For International 04, Choi Jeong Hwa made Happy Together, a garland of blossoms for Lime Street station. Fantastic, decorative, eye catching, it was designed to compete in the sea of information and advertisements which dominate the station concourse. 

Commissioned by Liverpool Biennial International 04

With Thanks to: Roy Greenhalgh and Laura Challinor, Network Rail, Lime Street Station Lime Street Station Chris Miller, project assistant Duncan Turner and Steve Seddon, Faber Maunsell Brian Boardman, City Centre Development Control Kerri Farnsworth, Liverpool Vision Steve Warbis, Network Rail Network Rail for the electrical supply

Supported by Visiting Arts