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The artist is a Korean national that went through art high school, majored in Korean Oriental painting at art college, and has been engaged in art throughout her entire life. The artist was able to become intimate with the art world early on under the artistic influence of her father, a Western-style painter in South Korea.
Oriental painting is not only different from other paintings in material and methodology, but also distinguished in artistry and spirituality.
The main material I use is Oriental painting paper called Jangji, and the main material is the skin of Brussonetia kazinoki, which is the name of a tree. It is used by layering the paint several times on it to increase the texture, as necessary. The most important material in the process before and after preparing and coloring the paper is the traditional adhesive glue. It is a viscous object extracted only from gelatin-oriented ingredients by boiling animal skins, tendons, bones, and air bladder. It is also used to help glue and color the paint mixed with glue after making the paper state so that the paint does not seep through the paper. It is necessary to use the paint and glue little by little during the coloring process, and it is important to control the static amount of the glue ratio, and various expression techniques may come out depending on the amount.
The paints used are Bunchae (a paint made by mixing pigments with fine soil) and Seokchae (a paint mixed with stone powder and minerals that give color). Glitter, gold paper, or a small amount of watercolor acrylic are also used. The main material of oriental painting is quite sensitive, so the spirit of 'learning' (knowing its purpose correctly and accepting it completely with body and mind) should be emphasized from the process of acquiring and preparing materials to its use and expression of the subject.
In addition, there is an aesthetics of "empty space,” which is different from Western art by not filling in the entirety of the artwork with colors or objects. The empty space allows the viewer to imagine their own unique subject within that space. The deep elegance that comes out in the artwork by knowing and using the properties of the material is truly beautiful. Only when the spirit of the Oriental painting is maintained can it result in a work of completeness.
In expressing the style of painting and artistry that the artist aims for, Oriental art has unique harmony to it.
The artist chose a style of painting called "Portrait Expressionism," in which the subject and background explain emotions. The artist tries to express human emotions alienated from this era and place. In doing so, the artist tries to observe and express the numerous emotions of myself and others who react sensitively to all stimulations. The artist does not turn a blind eye to the pain and wounds of being alienated by our own emotions, nor by being alienated from the emotions of others, but rather tries to find beauty in them. In her work, there is hope in that sorrow.
Humans constantly struggle with the depression that comes from past memories and present experiences. Even today, humans quarrel with themselves and become friends again. Fortunately, depression and happiness coexist. The artist chose figure painting as a subject that emphasizes these themes, and animals and backgrounds are used as sub-themes to help the character's emotions.
It is exhausting to look at the emotions swirling inside myself and those of others, but these observations will continue until the end of my life. As an artist, I’m constantly trying to capture and express these unique feelings onto the canvas. I sincerely hope that my art, collectively called “Finding the Lost Emotions,” touches your soul.