Artist Hyong Nam Ahn

Jacob's Ladder #6

Year: 2024
Medium: Stainless steel, rock
Dimensions: 74H x 18W x 12D in
Original Artwork Price: $35,000


Jacob's Ladder Series

The Jacob’s Ladder series began about 25 years ago as part of his Windrock Series, featuring steel rods that form a ladder, visually reaching toward heaven—the space between humans and God. The title came years after the series began. Hyong Nam Ahn explains, “If any artwork is going to endure through generations, it needs a name that can last.” The ladder symbolizes relationships over time and the journey in between.

Ahn's interest in technology began in college. He recalls a moment when he was captivated by the simplicity of a rock he saw on the ground. This led him to realize that technology could never rival the beauty of nature. Eventually, he sought to co-create with something greater than what can be seen or known. He says, “Almost 30 years ago, I began with the rock and the air to find a balance. Through Windrock, I wanted to differentiate myself from God, heaven, and the unknown. I aim to encapsulate the distance between objects, space, myself, and God.”