Dr. Theresa Ferg, owner of the Gallery San Isabel in Pueblo, Colorado, is a talented artist and passionate advocate for Taekwondo. Her work spans decades and includes commissioned sculptures that capture the likeness of some truly remarkable individuals. One of the most fascinating commissions in her career came in the 1990s when she had the unique honor of meeting and sculpting General Choi Hong Hi, the “father” of Taekwondo.
A Fateful Encounter with the Taekwondo Legend
Dr. Ferg’s journey with Taekwondo began when her son started practicing the martial art. As she became more involved with the Taekwondo community, it became clear that her artistic talents could complement the sport’s rich history. She created a commissioned work for Grandmaster Charles E Sereff, a notable Taekwondo leader in the U.S.
Having seen Dr. Ferg’s portraiture of Grandmaster Sereff, General Choi reached out to her to sculpt his own likeness. The commission grew into a multifaceted project, including a limited edition heroic bust of General Choi and a smaller statuette based on one of Taekwondo’s 24 forms: Heaven Hand under Kwang-Gae.
“I was commissioned to create a sculpture bust of General Choi, and also a small figurine representing the Heaven Hand form,” Dr. Ferg shared. “This form is deeply symbolic, inspired by an ancient Korean legend. General Choi wanted to preserve that tradition through the sculpture.”
“He looked at me and said, ‘I want 29 of these made, and I want them to look exactly this way,’” Dr. Ferg remembered. “He wanted them to be cast in bronze with a white patina, to symbolize the purity of Taekwondo, and he wanted them to represent the individuals who were his first students, the ones he had trained as soldiers and martial artists.”
What struck Dr. Ferg most was the deep emotional connection General Choi had to this project. It wasn’t just about creating a work of art—it was about honoring those who helped him shape Taekwondo into a global martial art. General Choi humorously called the statuette his “Oscar,” highlighting its significance as a symbol of his life’s work.
The Sculpting Process
Dr. Ferg recalls that meeting General Choi was nothing short of an extraordinary experience. The process of sculpting him began with an initial meeting in the early 1990s, during which she and her photographer worked at a Taekwondo conference in Lakewood, Colorado, where over 500 Taekwondo students gathered.
“The first time I worked with General Choi, it wasn’t as straightforward as I expected,” Dr. Ferg recalled. “He had just finished speaking with many Taekwondo students and dignitaries, and I didn’t get the full time I had planned to take measurements. But General Choi insisted that we continue the process. He said, ‘I will come back.’”
This commitment to precision would prove to be a theme of the sculpting process. Dr. Ferg noted, “I’ve never worked with someone as precise as General Choi. His measurements were perfectly symmetrical—left side to right side. It was fascinating,” she said.
Dr. Ferg used the classic Italian portraiture method, which involves working with the subject in real time. In one encounter, she worked alongside an interpreter to create the bust of General Choi, while he chatted animatedly with another Taekwondo companion, sharing stories in Korean.
Creating a life-sized sculpture of General Choi was a complex and deeply meaningful task. “Sculpture is not just about likeness—it’s about conveying the essence of a person or an idea,” Dr. Ferg explained. “With General Choi, I wanted to ensure that his posture, the way he carried himself, the grace and strength of his movements—everything—was reflected in the statue.”
The Power of Art in Martial Arts Schools
Dr. Ferg also reflected on the broader impact that displaying such a statue can have on Taekwondo schools and dojos around the world. The significance of a sculpture in a martial arts school goes beyond decoration. It serves as a constant reminder of the history, principles, and values of Taekwondo.
“A photograph of General Choi might show his face, but it doesn’t convey the power of his presence,” Dr. Ferg noted. “A sculpture, however, can embody not just the physical form, but also the spirit of what he represented. When students come into a dojo and see such a statue, they feel that history. They can touch it, they can walk around it, and it becomes a part of their own experience in training.”
This connection between the artwork and the students is crucial for modern Taekwondo practitioners. For these students, seeing a sculpture of General Choi teaches them that Taekwondo is not just about physical skill—it’s about honor, discipline, and respect.
The Legacy of General Choi
Dr. Ferg’s experience with General Choi was not just an artistic endeavor. As she worked with the general, she learned more about his vision for the martial art and his tireless mission to spread it across the globe. In one meeting, he went so far to say he is without a home and lives on the airplane.
“General Choi was deeply committed to spreading Taekwondo far and wide,” Dr. Ferg said. “He wanted people from all walks of life—regardless of political, racial, or religious backgrounds—to learn and practice Taekwondo. He truly believed that Taekwondo could bring people together and teach them to understand one another.”
“When you create something like this, you’re not just creating art,” Dr. Ferg said. “You’re creating a piece of history that will continue to inspire future generations.” The statue is a tribute to the hard work, dedication, and values that General Choi instilled in his students and martial artists around the world.
About Dr. Theresa Ferg
Dr. Theresa Ferg is an artist, educator, and researcher with a passion for creating meaningful works of art and forging new paths in the intersection of art, science, and education. She has worked on a variety of artistic projects, including sculptures, public art installations, and educational initiatives.
Her work spans multiple disciplines, including psychophysics, mathematics, curriculum studies, and the visual arts—with a focus on enhancing our understanding of human cognition, creativity, and spatial awareness.
Her groundbreaking research into visuospatial ability has the potential to reshape how we approach learning and teaching—a field she has dedicated years to making more engaging and accessible.
Her innovative approach, blending visual, mathematical, and symmetry concepts, has garnered attention from prestigious institutions and earned her the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Merit Award.
The novel visuospatial ability assessment is set to become an invaluable tool for educators, providing measurable insights into a crucial cognitive ability that supports much of human creativity and problem-solving.
Within the Gallery San Isabel, the Visuospatial Education Center (VEC) is bringing this tool to educators and students alike, offering workshops and courses that aim to foster greater understanding of visuospatial concepts.
These efforts are helping to bridge the gap between traditional educational methods and the ever-evolving needs of today’s learners. VEC hopes to create a future where learning is more dynamic, integrated, and reflective of the diverse ways people engage with the world around them.
If you are interested in supporting the mission of the Gallery San Isabel, consider visiting the website, purchasing a statue, or contacting the gallery to learn more.
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