Sung Sam Park

Sung Sam Park was born in Seoul, Korea. He began painting at the age of twelve. His talent and teaching abilities were quickly recognized and by the age of thirteen Park was teaching painting at the local high school.

Park attracted the attention of prominent artists and heads of state. Byen Si-Jin, former university president of Jo-Joo Island, was his private art teacher and mentor. The former president of South Korea, Yun Bo-seon, personally awarded him many First Places in the national competitions of the Mok-Woo Art Society. Park is still the youngest person ever to have competed in these competitions.

After graduating from Jung Ang University in 1973, Park traveled to France where he studied painting. His artistic style today clearly reflects the inspiration of the French Impressionists. Park returned to Korea briefly in 1984 to participate in the national Olympic-sponsored art competition for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. With more than two thousand entrants in the competition, Park won and received a gold medal. Following the Olympics, Park's painting was purchased by the Hyundai Corporation for permanent display at their corporate headquarters.

In 1986, Park became a member of the jury of Heart and Mind Artists Association of Korea, which is the organization that assesses all artwork presented for juried competition in that nation. Park then returned to Europe, where he lived for the next fourteen years, primarily in France and also in Greece and Cyprus. While living in Cyprus, Park was commissioned by the President of Cyprus to paint the First Lady's portrait. This and five other paintings by Park are currently displayed in the collection in the Presidential Palace.

While in Europe, Park established himself in several European galleries and continues to exhibit in many of them today. His works were written about in a variety of newspapers and magazines including the European Travel Press and Euroko. Park moved to the United States in 1994 where he lives on the southern California coast.