Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Se Young Yim. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Se Young, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Every project was meaningful to me, but there are two significant projects in 2023. One was a solo showcase and open studio in Berlin. I was selected by GlogauAIR in Germany. It is a non-profit art space and selects 13 artists for the residency program through the open call. I was grateful to be part of it as an international artist. Within two weeks of arriving, I had a solo showcase of my painting on the street in Berlin. It was an honor to have this opportunity on my first visit. It was a public space, so I met a wide range of audiences, and one of the most memorable moments was when a local curator messaged me on Instagram to say she happened to see my exhibition and was impressed. Then, I had a two-day event, which opened my studio space to the public, and it was very successful, with over 400 people visiting to see the artwork. Talking to them directly about my work and learning new perspectives was memorable. The other was a three-person group show at Blah Blah Gallery in Philadelphia. The show’s title was “Finest Tooth,” originally the title I made for one of my paintings in the exhibition. Titles play an essential role in creating an impression for a show, so I was thrilled when the curators and other artists voted on my title for the show. These experiences have been meaningful in my artistic journey.
Se Young, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hello Canvas folks, I am a painter and sculptor in Brooklyn, New York. I am from South Korea and have been working internationally. My work has been shown in the UK, Korea, Germany, and the US. I have an MFA in Fine Arts from an art school in New York, and before that, I studied fashion in Seoul. I like to observe people and am particularly interested in ‘love.’ I wanted to express and explore it through sculpture and painting. My artistic practice is centered around the exploration of the vulnerable physicality of the body and the representation of intimate moments or places imbued with an eerie quality. Through art, I seek to capture the fragile nature of humans. I maintain a daily routine of writing and exploring places through photography. I collect images and objects that are familiar and domestic. Then, I re-assemble them into work. It oscillates between concealing and revealing, always with a subtle sense. I create a space for audiences to reflect on the complexities of love and the fleeting nature of connections between people and place. I invite viewers to engage with their emotions and memories.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goal for this year is not only to develop my work but also to show it to many viewers. Through 15 exhibition experiences last year, I met various people, which was stunning. Before that, I was shy about meeting people and talking about my work because I thought it had to be perfect. However, creating work for myself in my room and showing it to people was an entirely different insight. I realized that it’s not something I do alone, and it becomes meaningful when It comes out of my diary. I decided to become an artist because art allows marginalized voices to speak freely, and audiences can be mind-blown. I ultimately want to create that kind of art, just as I have been encouraged by art in the past. Therefore, my practice begins with observation of people and is designed to be seen by others. In the short term, I have a goal of having many exhibition opportunities, and in the long term, I want to be an artist who can touch the hearts of others. (Thankfully, I have upcoming exhibitions in Williamsburg in February and Lower East Manhattan in March. If you’re in the NYC area, please come to see the show.)
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
To continue what I said earlier, the most rewarding aspect is that I can connect with people through art. Of course, we are people, and all professions are related to others. However, art especially appeals to me because it gives people an abstract space in life. In reality, we have big and small practical tasks to deal with every day. Sometimes, this kind of repetition becomes overwhelming, and I realize what sustains life is different from the pragmatic things. People may need some moment to pause their thoughts in a capitalistic way. I believe art enables people to do that, and I’m grateful to be a part of this strange and essential work.
Contact Info:
- Website: seyoungyim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surrealmantis