snm1a-186h, 1995 chromogenic print, diasec mount 135 x 260 cm ( 53 1/8 x 102 3/8 in. )courtesy galerie zur stockeregg

korean photographer bien-u bae is currently exhibiting at galerie zur stockeregg in zurich, switzerland. for over 25 years, bien-u bae has been taking photographs of the old pine forest which surrounds the kings’ shrine of the shilla dynasty in the vicinity of gyeongju, korea. his long-standing passion and fascination stem from the korean culture in which the pine signifies an especially strong symbolic power and, at the same time, is present in literature and other areas of culture. the exhibition runs until june 20, 2009.

bien-u bae was born in 1950 in yeosu, south korea. since 1981, the artist has been teaching photography as a professor at the seoul institute of arts.

bae, bien u at galerie zur stockeregg, zurichsnm3a-20, gyeongju, 1985, printed 2008 chromogenic print, diasec mount 128 x 128 cm ( 50 3/8 x 50 3/8 in. ) courtesy galerie zur stockeregg

bae, bien u at galerie zur stockeregg, zurich snm1a-085h, gyeongju, 2002, printed 2008 chromogenic print, diasec mount 135 x 260 cm ( 53 1/8 x 102 3/8 in. ) courtesy galerie zur stockeregg