Interview

Jun 10

Sangjo (Jay) Han

Jay graduated from Yeungnam University in 2010. In 2011, he participated in the Yeungnam University alumni exhibition. In 2017, he received a Montreal Tattoo Convention invitation. In 2018, he received a Quebec Tattoo Convention invitationas well as a Montreal Tattoo Convention invitation. Jay also received an invitation to the 2021 Natural Int Expo.

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

“I graduated from Arts High School and Art University. My major was oriental art, and I am always trying to collaborate with Orienral art in commercial tattoos. After graduating from university, I worked another job for about 3 years, but I wanted to return to painting or art. I chose to draw on skin instead of paper through it all and I love what I do so much.”

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

“I want to satirize social issues with my art, but I have no desire to express my political opinions in my paintings. If you look at the history of Oriental art, there are many paintings in which common people (ordinary citizens) satirize high society. I like such interesting stories.”

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

“I think things are different each time. Unlike Fine art, Oriental art cannot be modified and hard to change. So, I prefer to make a plan and draw it as is. That’s gonna be a big painting. However, it is very interesting to make simple drawings and sketches spontaneously if you have a brush and ink. I find it difficult to choose one because both have different charms.”

Are there any art world trends you are following?

“I don't really have any trends that I follow. Trends in the art market and the tattoo market change too easily and quickly. Therefore, if I continue to do what I want to do rather than follow trends, a trend that suits the art I am doing will come. However, this does not mean that the art I create should become a trend. The same goes for tattoos. Sometimes ,fine line tattoos become a trend, and sometimes black and gray portraits become a trend. Rather than being a trend, I like to collaborate with genres like oriental and black and gray, which I do.”

“I want to satirize social issues with my art, but I have no desire to express my political opinions in my paintings.”

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

“I'm not very diverse, but I try. For example, I draw with ink and brush on rice paper and mix it with drawings, and sometimes I create other creative works through computer work. But my main base is rice paper ink brush.”

What does your art mean to you?

“Art is very difficult. There is no right answer. However, not everything I do is art. My professor defined art like this. Art is about expanding the framework of culture little by little. To use a tattoo analogy, if my creative designs make my customers satisfied and happy, isn't that also art? Even if what I do is not art, if I and my customers are satisfied, happy, and love it, there is no art better than that.”

What’s your favourite artwork and why?

“I also like following traditional things. I also like drawing portraits of people and animals with brush strokes. My special favorites are tiger paintings and face portraits.”