Interview

Feb 14

Hyunsook You

Hyunsook is a graduate of Hongik University of Korea Graduate School of Fine Arts, and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière Paris, France.

She has enjoyed a number of award-winning experiences, including two special selections by the Association of Superstream Art, Ueno no Mori Art Grand Prize Winner, the International Art Exhibition Excellence Award, and the Multi-selection of bi-science associations, currently 10 times in a row.

Hyunsook has been an art instructor for fifteen years, five of which have been in Japan where she currently resides. She teaches a modern art class at Nagareyama City Lifelong Learning Center in Chiba Prefecture. Before that, she was a painting class instructor for five years at Hankook Ilbo Newspaper, the Hette Group Culture Center, Visees Takasaki Culture Center Painting, and the Gunma Prefecture, Japan.

Hyunsook is a member of the Korea Art Association, the Seoul Academy, and the Nagareyama Art Association.

Among the places where her pieces have found a residence include the Korea National Assembly Building Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd, SAMSUNG General Motors Korea, Benz Korea Reebok Japan, the Czech Embassy second, and Lotte WalkerHill Hotel.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“The reason I started my journey in the world of painting is because of the influence of an art teacher in middle school. The interesting explanations of understandable techniques, persuasive color relationships, drawing methods, and the reason for using watercolors are concepts that have stayed with me all these years, and now I’m teaching them to others.
When I became an adult, I published an oil painting in Korea. As my works started increasing, I began to feel like a frog that was stuck a small well. The satisfaction I derived from my work started dropping. Around that time, I felt my heart overflowing and shaking beyond stimulation when I saw the free art tendencies, high-quality techniques, and various expressions of works in other countries.
The traditional colors of Japan, a neighboring country, were simple and sophisticated, and I had the chance to experience and feel the unique Japanese culture that looks calm. It was quite stimulating. But eventually, that wasn’t enough for me, I wanted more.
I was not satisfied with the traditional things, and I thought that the unconventional expression of modern art seemed more suitable for me, and touched my heart. As I searched for my stimulus again, I became interested in the independent culture and history of Europe and France. I was influenced by various works in Paris, France, and I wanted to learn them and present my own works there.
That is just a part of my journey.”

What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?

“I don’t comment on political issues with my work. When my work is delivered to someone, my intention is that they enjoy the piece. I feel the flow of life, and I’m sleeping inside of other people, including myself.
I try to convey emotions like joy, anger, loneliness, and the like through the face of patience in various states in an abstract expression, faithful to one concept that filters out the country by one medium.”

“I need to feel the emotions as I work.
Being true to my emotions is my way of expressing myself.”

Which current art world trends are you following?

“I pursue modernism.”

Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?

“I don’t plan my work in advance. The theme of my work is to express a person’s face, capturing their expression and emotions. Emotions are impromptu, and so the relaying of them also has to be spontaneous. For that reason, I choose a method that is immersed in the impromptu emotion on that day.”

What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?

“I continuously repeat to absorb acrylic paint and various medium on canvas or wooden boards. Based on the results, the screen is divided, and points are emphasized while being conscious of the composition. Various materials such as oil color, acrylic, and meryium are widely used for canvas, wood, paper, and the like. In fact, I don’t allow myself to be bound by materials. I simply mix various colors with the ingredients that I set out. As the paint is absorbed or as it spills repeatedly while using an airbrush, it creates a natural flow.
After looking at the color and texture of the result, I design the setting and specific composition of the character. This may involve overlap and working with materials and paints repeatedly. After that comes the most simple task of arranging unnecessary lines and surroundings.
When I look at the piece, it conveys a strong feeling. That’s my purpose, and the driving force for creating my art.”

What does your art mean to you?

“To me, art is a secret garden. I don’t reveal it to others. It’s something that only I have access to; the only base in me that expresses and develops joy and sorrow without hesitation. It can’t be stopped.”

What’s your favorite artwork and why?

“I like Gustav Klimt’s screen split, compositional format and use of simple lines, where the color and technique transcends time. The modern side still doesn’t feel boring to me.
Through the works of Horst Janssen, I have found that I can boldly express my detailed and excellent designs and real expressions, and not keep them hidden.
Aubrey Beardsley uses monotone color for issues of the times and resistance. It’s hidden in the characters with a sharp pen. It expresses various kinds of reality comically and explicitly.
For such reasons, I have a similar desire to show the work that lies deep in my heart to the world.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“I have shown my work various exhibitions as shown below.
- Special selection for the 99th NIKA Exhibition, (2014).
- NAGAREYAMA City Exhibition 35th Anniversary Award, (2014).
- TAIHEIYO Art Assosiation Exhibition Shintaro Prize.
- TAIHEIYO Art Assosiation Tsubaki Etsushi Prize.
- TAIHEIYO Art Assosiation Saimido Prize.
- The 55th Chiba Memorial Award for the Second Chiba Branch Exhibition
of the Second Chiba, NIKA.
- NAGAREYAMA City Exhibition Mayor’s Award.”