Portraits at the crossroad

This report is a description of my artistic practice and a recollection of ideas and influences behind my work. My studio practice has been a cathartic tool that I employ in order to relieve the tension and confusion that comes from living as a foreigner in America. In order to deal with my longing for intimacy and the lack of control in my life, I create small-scale paintings of my friends from Korea that are currently living in America. Even though the paintings have subtle differences from each other, they all follow the two rules I set for myself in order to enhance the sense of intimacy and control. These rules include precision to the source materials and maintaining smooth surfaces by applying many thin layers of paint. Through painfully close observation of subject matter I attempt to create a sense of intimacy in my work on small surfaces as well as to address the uncertainty of the future through my controlled process of working.