My work explores the cultural, autobiographical, and political tension that exists in the lives of the children of a diaspora. To explore the details of this liminal space between national identity and ethnic identity I use the lens of pop culture and more specifically the artifacts most closely associated with my cultures.
Korean-American. Two cultures in one hyphenated term given to me by my nation of my birth. In my work I want to study what it means to be a child of two worlds. Dual cultural identities where the fundamental precepts of both conflict with each other. When these two identities collide they create friction which I’ve found difficult to put into words. This friction creates more questions than answers. I search for the meaning of belonging through my work. I’m seeking a home and place where I feel welcome and through my craft I explore whether that’s found within the borders of a country or within myself. Regardless of someone's identity, I believe everyone can relate to this question. Thus, in my practice I create dynamic, surreal and chaotic images veiled in humor because to me, a spoonful of humor helps the medicine go down.
My practice centers around drawing and painting. Whether I use ink on paper, watercolor, printmaking or acrylic and oil on canvas, the nucleus of each piece is drawing. The subject matter of my work are styles and motifs from mainstream artifacts of animation–especially Japanese anime and manga. I recall the dynamic art and movement of Dragon Ball Z created by Akira Toriyama and how it inspired me to draw. My work is a derivative of what inspired my childhood imagination clashing with my adulthood apprehensions.