Description

I have been exploring skin as a concept in my work. When I was younger, I would pick the inner corner of my thumb trying to cope with stress - I learned that it’s called excoriation disorder. When I accidentally discovered that I can peel the dried acrylic paint rather than my own skin, I’ve realized that my neurosis can transform into beautiful things. I focus on the medium and the language of painting to create dialogues about multiple identities, history and my Korean background. Instead of painting with a brush, I cast and pour paint, then peel the paint bits and assemble them like a collage. The process ultimately changes the identity of painting into something else, not quite sculpture but not quite painting and often looks like they are made with some materials other than just paint. I try to instill the idea of assimilation which parallels my experience as an immigrant of not fully being Korean nor American.