We recently connected with Minji Seo and have shared our conversation below.

Minji, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of my most meaningful projects was “My Right Hand & Your Left Hand.” I collaborated with fellow artist Kun, who had injured her left arm then, and we organized an exhibition about trust and resilience. We painted on a single canvas together, passing it back and forth like a shared cooking process, gradually layering paint to build the final image.

I completed the piece by painting fifteen green peas, which transformed into smiley emojis symbolizing a seed’s life cycle—from nourishment to renewal in nature. This reflected my belief that endings are not just conclusions but catalysts for new connections. In ecological terms, a living thing never truly disappears; it simply takes on a new form within the continuous flow of life. Since Kun’s overarching message was that “limitations can become possibilities,” I focused on how interdependence and connectivity can transform challenges into something meaningful. The slight variations in each pea emphasize that, despite taking different paths, all living beings eventually return to a shared rhythm with nature.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a mixed media artist working primarily in painting and moving image. Growing up in Hawaii, I was deeply influenced by the vibrant waves, intense sunlight, and ocean breeze, which shaped my sensitivity to color and rhythm. I later studied Fine Arts, earning my Bachelor’s degree from Mokwon University in Korea before pursuing an MFA at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York. My work is rooted in exploring emotions and inner psychology through visual imagery.

In my practice, I often blend small, everyday events and objects into flowing compositions. Wave-like lines separate and converge elements into a unified stream, while empty spaces are filled with bold primary colors or repetitive patterns that, from a distance, might resemble wallpaper. This interplay of lines and color reflects my focus on flow, rhythm, and identity. I aim to create personal and shared reflection moments by inviting viewers to pause and sense their internal currents regardless of background.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’m driven to channel positive passions through the lens of primal instincts. Growing up in Hawaii, I was surrounded by nature’s raw power, where every creature follows an instinctive rhythm for survival. More recently, observing migratory birds along New York’s East River reinforced my understanding that we each carry an innate force within us.

Through my art, I want to explore how we can discover the moments that express the primal will as a human. Each person has a unique rhythm, and honoring that individuality brings more depth to life. My artworks often serve as a visual prompt for people to reconnect with their innate energy.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Frequent moves and separation from loved ones during my childhood shaped a complex range of emotions in me. Over time, unprocessed sorrow led to prolonged lethargy, affecting my creative drive and personal connections. To confront these emotions, I turned to journaling. Writing daily helped me recognize patterns in my thoughts, clarify my desires, and understand the importance of nurturing them.

As I continued writing and reflecting, my sense of purpose became more apparent. This process broke me out of inertia, reigniting my motivation and artistic practice. It also deepened my awareness of the interconnections between myself and the world around me. That realization strengthened my resilience and has guided all my projects since. Whenever I reach my limits, I remind myself that true resilience comes from acknowledging our connections—within ourselves and the world around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://minjiseo.com
• Instagram: seoup.seoup

Image Credits

Xung, Chunbum Park, Sooa Lim