Sometimes, we just associate our memories with simple and common things. For example, the 'heart' sign means love, and the 'Red Cross' sign means medical help. These symbols can be easily seen and understood. But the associations with these images flash through our minds when you just look at them. Reflections of this kind are very different for each person, even the size and number of memories is different, too. As a result, signs and other common figures have special meanings to each individual.

Seeing a beautiful piece of art work, you will catch the most impressive scenes you ever saw or felt.
For example, Romero Britto, who is the pop cubism artist, has made very simple and funny works. His bold colors, pop imagery and playful patterns as well as an inventive use of his signature (It looks like the 'π' sign.) within his painting.

As his works show, he is a positive and optimistic character. On the his web site, he said, "For me, art can reflect the celebration of the simple and good things in life. This is most important to me!"
But his early life was not so splendorous. He was born in Brazil and his family were so poor. Like the other family members, his older brother sold dictionaries and postcards in the street. From that time young Britto painted images on scraps of cardboard and other paper. And Britto seriously thought about "What is art?" because he was inspired by one master of the Baroque Era.

One day, he got the chance to look at a Caravaggio painting and he was ”Astonished”. Soon, he was determined to draw for fun and celebration. Maybe Caravaggio`s cruel pieces functioned as a catalyst to Britto`s viewing of art in a very shocking way.

"Many spectators are interested to his unique works. Often some of them wish to purchase at least one small piece. Britto`s works are simple and light for everyone. It is the reason for his big and wide popularity." said Curator Lee -II Young in KIMHYUNJOO GALLERY.

A distinguishing character of Britto`s work is his thick and confident black lines. Thick lines separate to the surface. Surprisingly these lines make vivid and rhythmical space. Even heavy and reticent black lines add to the energy in his funny world. 

Globally, his work has had an affect on the environment and child welfare movements. He had a difficult situation in the past times, therefore he is naturally concerned about those big dilemmas. Smiling and joyful kids in his art works bring a message from him.

Curator Lee-II Young said "In my opinion, he has a 'happy and fun energy'. Maybe that is what he receives from his works. So he tries to create at a world that is easier and very simple. Those things are also all of him."
Most of us want to have a classical and serious fine piece of art. But why does Britto is famous in world art market? Why does he have huge effected collector, for example Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger and John F. Kennedy Jr. etc? 

The reason of his popularity, is fresh experience. We want to cherish one fine memory, in other words he gives us to very precious touch. Therefore many of them loves Britto`s art. The one meeting made marvelous meanings.
 How about characters? What do you have in mind when you hear or see 'love' or 'art'? What is the image you have? Hard to imagine that, try with 'big' one, like a Robert Indiana’s ‘LOVE’ sculptures.

Robert India is famous pop artist and he made a big sculpture to use one word, ‘LOVE’, ‘Art’ and numbers. His simple works had huge effect to United States society in 1960~1970s.
Coming into the ‘Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art’, big 'Love' sets in silently. As if a small rock makes ripples in the clear lake, these four characters come back to a big echo. The echo gives a wonder. "Do you know about LOVE?" Just four simple English characters make you puzzled.  And now is the time to answer this simple question.

Robert Indiana probablely has a good memory skill and his great works had usually by personal episodes. His most important work, ‘LOVE’ is same. In the 1965, Indiana got a Christmas card design order to ‘New York Metropolitan Museum of Art’. He kept thought about that finally he was inspired by his old memory. That was one sentence, 'God is LOVE'. When he had been young, he had seen  that in a church and he remembered that.

This creative art piece finished, everyone surprised to his sensational ability and power of the 'LOVE'. 
Over the 'LOVE' silkscreen works and other works, you meet the numbers. This series painted by glowing colors and geometrical figures make painting complicated. And each single number steel sculptures stand without saying anything. 

Many spectators first saw these works, they very confused. Actually, each number has the difference meanings. Also these meanings are related to Indiana’s personal stories. 

Indiana’s early life was poor and unhappy. He adopted when he was baby. His foster parents did not have enough money and they had to move frequently. He gave the numbers to house, which he lived. After that time, he added other meaning to numbers and he has made his own symbolism.

In the last exhibition room, wood and steel pillar pieces are also Indiana’s impressive memories of his family. He expresses his sadness and forgiveness to write a 'EAT' or a 'HUG'. Touching a rough wood bark, you feel he has gone through many trouble in his lifetime.     

All of his art piece mirror up Indiana’s memories and relationship with other world and people. He just draws work that is only understood to him. But we have the wonder to these works and make own story and memories for seeing them.

Recently, he is interested to antiwar or world peace. And now he is creating to work with these subjects. Still his voice makes a big attention. His works are so simple and bald. But his words move to our heart and reason.

So, can you answer the meaning of 'LOVE'? To tell the truth, there is not correct answer. Seeing this sculpture, in that moment you already know the answer. Colors, touching and smell and other whole things are 'LOVE'. The way of love is not exist also the meaning of love is not existing too.

Romero Britto and Robert Indiana, these two artists make the lucid pieces. When you meet their exciting works, you make your own meaning. Shall we go to find our precious memories?

<Pop art and Cubism>
Cubism is the turning point of fine art world. This movement started from 1908 and that have effected at recent days. Origin of Cubism is Matisse saw a Braque’s painting and said. "There are just little cubes." Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso and Fernand Leger who are the real cubists work to believe 'Art is the creation not a copy.' and liberate to established art.

Pop art started from US in 1950s. In that period, mass production pitched up and public had wonder of 'consumption'. With this base, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and other Pop artists had the different view of everyday life. They used the mass media and advertisement images and expressed repetitively.