Thesis show preparation period was like a dream… I still don’t know how I spent those days. It was not hard, it was just… floating on top of the clouds. And I look back now, that this period of time of “preparation” and “creation” will come back again and again. I realized I want to live my life like this, with the repetitive patterns of preparation, creation, and revelation. The perfect life cycle of an artist. I already cannot wait for my next cycle to come.
That week I was in my studio for creating endlessly, to reach the maximum creations that I can reach before the revelation of my final collection. I dressed up in my favorite Hanbok dresses everyday and went to studio. I visited Maria’s place in Smyrna to look for vintage frames that fit my artworks. Finding vintage frames for my works is now a huge part of the creation, which adds more time and intimacy towards my work. Almost like finding soul mates for my artworks without clothes (OMG!). I also ordered custom lights, I gave Chris my website to be inspired by my work and gave personal palette. The lights were beautiful, adding more personal touch to the lights that will be hung to my show.
Finishing up the last touches on my works were like putting lipstick on my lips before I head out and meet people; it was a preparation to let my works meet the world and be embraced. To be shined.
The three days of installation went so fast; but it was so full (full video on youtube and link down below!) I had my dear painting friends come over and be part of this beautiful collection. I personally feel very vulnerable when I ask for help which I did not ask for any except to Hoya; but my friends who are also painters in the same floor volunteered to help create a whole fabric full of ceiling and hung lanterns, decorated my screen for youtube videos… Endless. This is when I realized amazing child is nurtured by the whole town, a great artist is nurtured by the whole art school basket full of other artists. I cannot have done this without them.
나는 나중에도 이모에게 이야기 했지만 나의 개인전은 마치 결혼식을 준비하는것과 같았다. 나의 예술의 영원한 서약에 모든 사람들을 초대하는것과 같았다. 그 곳에 나와 내 작업들의 애틋한 서약식에 보여질 아름다운 꽃다발을 고르고, 천장에 실크를 달고, 은은한 호롱불들을 다는 느낌이었다. 3-4개월 준비했지만 마음만큼은 이미 3-4년 전에 이 예술이라는것과 사랑에 빠지고, 영원을 확신하며, 나의 열정과 젊음, 아름다움을 바치기로 확신했기 때문에 더더욱 더 소중한 첫 개인전이었다. 내가 진정으로 사랑하는 대상을 나를 사랑하는 대상들과 나누는것, 그것이 결혼식이 아니라 무엇일까. 그래서 한걸음에 달려와준 한사람 한사람에게, 내가 이만큼 이루었고 내가 대단하다 라는 마음보다, 내가 이토록 사랑하는 대상을 찾았으니 지금부터 더 아름답고 멋있게 이루어 나가리라 약속하는 자리였다.
Thesis show is what all MFA Painting students do, but for me it was a dream. I always dreamed for my works to be “hung on the wall as originals.” This was the only reason I switched my major from photography to painting; I decided to create tangible artwork that was one and only in the world, only most powerful when hung on a wall for people to physically meet and feel the presence. And here I was, four full walls of beautiful works that had pieces of my soul intertwined in it, ready to show my vulnerabilities, power, and dignity.
My solo show was physically and tangibly seeing my soul in a space through art form. Transforming the unseen elements in my heart into a beautiful form of fabrics, portraits, music, texture, flowers… Was a transcending experience. But it was a necessary one to communicate with the people who wants to know me. Connection takes communication, and communication takes practice. It is definitely difficult to really pour out my emotions and thoughts into a form that is actually visually present, because it carries power and energy which could either be powerful but also influential. But I want to use this vessel to transfer the most fragile, beautiful things to the world, because beauty and fragility are what ultimately defines human. What defines me. And this Thesis show was all about that which resides in me deep down with meaning. To capture and mold, then share to connect to the world.
유비라는 사람을 표현하는 공간이 아틀란타 다운타운 어딘가에 실제로 존재한다는 사실이 신기했다. 몇분만 차를 타고 가면 나라는 사람과 영혼을 온전히 느낄수 있는 작품들과, 꽃, 천, 호롱불, 원피스, 노래들이 가득한 장소가 있다는것은 놀라웠다. 그리고 내가 그 자리에 없어도 그곳에 방문하는 사람들은 나를 느끼고 나와 연결될수 있다는것은 강력한 사실이었다. 예술과, 장소의 힘. 나의 손끝이 닿은 모든것은 나의 존재와 힘, 그리고 따뜻함을 내뿜고 있었다. 그것은 내 온기를 그들에게 내뿜고, 어쩌면, 위로와 따스함을 전달해주었을것이다. 무엇보다 나의 작업들에는 생명이 담겨져 있음을 나는 확신한다. 그 생명에는 영원함, 하늘, 빛, 인간에게 필요한 그 단순한 모든것들이 다 있다. 그리고 그 장소가 아주 잠시, 열흘정도 머물렀다가 사라졌다는 것도 나는 예언적이라 느꼈다. 영원한것은 오직 우리가 보았다가 더이상 보지 못하는, 소중한 것들임을.. 예술도 그러함을. 나의 개인전을 아직도 그리워하며, 다음 개인전을 꿈꾼다.
Thesis Show Reception Photos by the Bakery Atlanta 💜
Closing Night Artist Talk Photos by the Victor 💜
