Can you tell us a bit about your background and where you grew up? In what ways have your early visual experiences and personal history led to art-making?
I was born in Seoul, and came to the U.S. when I was quite young – not quite two years old. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. My parents were both creative, and I deeply admired them for this.
Where are you currently based and what initially attracted you to working in this community? Are there any aspects of this place that have surfaced in your work?
I came to Knoxville three years ago to teach at the University of Tennessee. I love the people I work with. The community is really supportive and energetic. I like the mild winters and living near the mountains. I feel a lot of gratitude for this place.
Can you tell us about your studio and what a typical day is like for you? Do you share space or ideas with other artists while working, or is it a more solitary routine?
My studio habits have changed dramatically since the concurrent arrival of Covid and my second child. I am currently working out of a home studio: a small section of my living room. I work in sprints throughout the day and during the evening hours when everyone is asleep. I sometimes invite my 4-year-old in for studio visits. He has a small desk for coloring; he uses the bottom third of my wall for hanging drawings. Typically, I do enjoy and enforce a more distinct boundary between studio and children. I have a studio on campus alongside my colleagues that I hope to return to when I am able to do so. I also have dreams of building a separate space in my back yard that will provide solitude, while remaining accessible to the various needs of my little ones.
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View full interview at maakemagazine.com
