your influences, interests, current work direction, brief life history, and reasons for applying to a graduate program at this time

As a third culture kid, I had to question and define my identity, psychology and culture. My personal paintings started with questioning the existence of depressions, sexual desires, traumas, and hatred often resulted from repressions in liberal and conservative culture. This interest has led me to study Freud, Jung and other psychologists theory on therapy and the existence of unconsciousness. With my interest, the process of my paintings acts as a therapy to check, confirm, think about my own state and identity for further mental development and fulfillment.

My early works were experimental pieces inspired by action paintings which focus on the unconscious movements, lines and gestures. They were further developed in Independent Study where I was able to closely work with a faculty who has inspired me with his ongoing works, guided me to research on Japanese movies, performances to widen my research boundaries. With one to one critiques, I worked on series and build on my communication skill to present my works. This has prepared me to be professional when exhibiting in Chicago. I was able to exhibit my works at alternative galleries where I could place my works in a playful environment with colored lights, sound, artists and curators. Live painting was another approach to explore new ways to communicate with audiences.

As an artist and an educator, I believe the role of art education from early age is important. Therefore, I wanted to contribute my philosophy and experiences in solving the problem in Korean education system. The problem is that the classes are focusing on practical skills and limiting students to think outside the box. At an alternative school, I had the freedom to plan my own curriculum to focus on research, presentation, critiques and experiments. I wanted to break the stereotypical idea of art making and guide the students to expand their ideas freely not bound by medias.

With these experiences in mind, I had to go out of my comfort zone and expand my next series at (school name) with interdisciplinary course system and art professionals. In MFA, I wish to work closely with faculty like _________,__________ and _______________. Im excited to develop my flat pieces into three dimensional pieces, installations and videos using facilities and rich resources to create a space where there will be close interaction with audiences with the work. Without a doubt, (School name) will best support and strengthen me to research intensively, develop visual expressions and challenge the boundaries preparing me one step further into my artist career worldwide. (still need this part edited with more research on the school)