My work is a coming-of-age story as a Korean American. Like many other Korean Americans, I grapple with my identity. My experience is that of being Korean American but witnessing my “Koreanness” slowly dissipate as time goes on. When I go back to Korea, I realize how American I really am. I can interact with locals, but I stumble to find the right words. I feel a sense of loss, quite literally with my Korean vocabulary, but also a longing to strengthen my Korean side. I show this in my figurative work, referencing traditional Korean aesthetics but with unrealistic proportions and haunting eyes; it feels Korean but not completely. Self-portrait sculptures covered in celadon carvings show a reaching desire to connect back to Korean roots.

I carry on the stylistic and skillful qualities of Korean art, like moon jars and intricate surfaces. The subject matter of my work, though, is inherently American, as it references key experiences of my personal life like living in San Francisco and my thoughts on American beauty standards. These topics connect me to my generation and help depict the viewpoints of today’s iteration of Korean Americans.

My work aims to capture the uncertain and evolving identity of the new generation of Korean Americans. Each sculpture is a personal narrative, waiting to be noticed by someone who feels the same way.