Sculptor Han Jin-seop Wins Catholic Art Prize for Statue of Fr. Kim Dae-gun
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Sculptor Han Jin-seop won the 29th Catholic Art Prize for his statue of St. Kim Dae-gun Andrea (first Korean Catholic priest), installed on the exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica in 2023. Carved from Bianco Carrara marble, the 3.70 m tall work depicts the priest wearing a traditional Korean hat (gat) and overcoat (dopo), with open arms symbolizing acceptance. The piece gained global attention online for resembling a K-pop group called “Lion Boys,” earning the nickname “Vatican Lion Boys.” The jury praised Han’s lifelong dedication to demanding stone carving techniques and said his work helps expand Vatican sculpture to represent saints from around the world and share Korean culture as part of K-culture. Young Artist awards went to Jung Ja-young (The Living Altar) and Lim Ja-yeon (Orium). The awards ceremony will be held Feb. 20 at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, with an exhibition at Gallery Bogojae in Samseong-dong from Feb. 20–27.
