About the Artist: Early on, Sam Park attracted the attention of prominent artists and heads of state in his native <>South Korea. Byen Si-Jin, former university president of Jo-Joo Island, was his private art teacher and mentor. The former president of South Korea, Yoon Bo-<> <>Sun, 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, he traveled to France, where he studied painting and lived with other young artists in Paris. 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 for which he received a Gold Medal. Following the Olympics, Park's painting was purchased by the Hyundai Corporation for permanent display at their corporate headquarters.

Sam Park then returned to Europe, where he lived for the next fourteen years, primarily in France, but also in Greece and on Cyprus. While living on 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. A Park painting of Michael Dukakis