YV ART MUSEUM

Unlike the previous sculptures, where multiple figures struggle together, this work presents a single young figure. One hand touches the oversized thumb, while the other rests thoughtfully near his chin. He appears to be asking himself a question: Should I pursue the “thumbs up” that society offers, or should I follow my own path?

The youth represents a moment of transition—a crossroads in life when we begin to decide who we want to become. The thumb has always been a symbol of approval, recognition, and success. But this series does not say that seeking approval is wrong. Instead, it asks us to consider why we seek it, and whether it should define our direction.

There is also an intentional uncertainty in the sculpture. Is the young figure emerging from the thumb, becoming part of it? Or is he separating himself from it, creating his own identity? Both interpretations are possible.

That moment of uncertainty is the heart of the work. Life is often not a clear choice between right and wrong, success and failure. We are constantly negotiating between our own desires and the expectations of the world around us.

Thumb-Youth reminds us that growing up is not simply about reaching a destination. It is about discovering who we are while deciding how much of the world around us we want to accept—and how much we want to transform.