Nam June Paik’s Wheelchair
After he collapsed by a stroke on April 20th, 1996, Nam June Paik had to rely on a wheelchair. Although the wheelchair with a bowler hat on it in the photograph seems to have a solitary atmosphere, Paik’s artistic passion never died. In a video recording of his performance at Anthology Film Archives in New York the year after, we can see him on a wheelchair breaking and knocking down the piano despite his impaired mouth and arms. This picture was taken by photographer Eunjoo Lee, who made the acquaintance with Paik and Shigeko Kubota shuttling between New York and Seoul. She took photographs of Paik’s studios and exhibitions, and also his funeral in 2006.
Artist
Eun Joo Lee
Date
1999
Classifications
photography
Dimensions
50×32.8cm
Medium
black & white photograph
Collection No
216
