Contemporary artist JooLee Kang focuses on the transition of living organisms through ecological changes in the environment as the source of evolution, created inevitably to survive together.
My works are a metaphor for the close bond between humanity and nature, which are often thought of as being in diametrical opposition, or a relationship of subordination, but are in fact woven together like a single piece of fabric.
Featured image: Installation view: Chaos at Suwon Ipark Museum of Art. Pen on paper, inkjet print. 2018.
Contemporary artist JooLee Kang. Artist portrait courtesy JooLee Kang.
How do you describe yourself in the context of challenging people’s perspectives via your work and art?
I focus on change of ecological environment, transition of living organisms, and evolution, created inevitably to survive together. I interpret complicated interactions between humans and nature in various perspectives, ask for understanding and consideration of our possibility and dignity through pen drawing and mixed installation. I aim to go beyond simply recreating the mainstream issues of the present day such as humanity’s rule over nature, taking a neutral view that comes from a broader perspective and exploring the close symbiotic relationship between nature and humanity.
My works are a metaphor for the close bond between humanity and nature, which are often thought of as being in diametrical opposition, or a relationship of subordination, but are in fact woven together like a single piece of fabric.
Without doubt, the concept of art differs from one to another. Art consoles some people, while it awakens others. Sometimes art creates impressions and moves people. As expected from my artworks, art is not a mere beautiful landscape or still life for me. For me, art is something that is supposed to reflect the changes in our life and reality. I believe that art must be a window to constantly communicate with the present and help us understand the world more, instead of just remaining as a dead artwork hung in an exhibition hall. That is why the artwork changes as time goes by, alongside the experience of the ever-changing world. I keep researching and trying to contain the changes. Sometimes, the directions it goes towards, are beyond my expectations. This is how I communicate with the world, by sharing stories of the present, which are in front of us and spreading them widely .
Bonsai #2. Contemporary artist JooLee Kang. Pen on paper, 160 x 141 cm. 2018.
How do you deal with the conceptual difficulty and uncertainty of creating new work?
When I start new works, I have certainty on some ideas, but I allow a lots of components to flow intuitively, while I am working. I think the beauty of doing art is to confront unexpectedness and deal with it. In my experience, the key is researching and exploring around the issues on new works. Reading and watching various views about the ideas helps me to clarify concepts for new work.
Still Life #3. Contemporary artist JooLee Kang. Pen on paper, 82 x 115 cm. 2015.
What inspires you? Let’s talk about your frameworks, references and process.
In my work, personification is depicted, but no person appears. Animals, plants, insects and fruits occur, but the objects are trapped in a process; the conspiracy of hybridisation. The living organisms in my drawings feel unfamiliar and imaginary but are in fact recreations of existing living organisms informed by research. The drawings present the ecosystem as well as traces of human civilisation such as vases, pots, terrariums, glass dorms, tools, etc. Man-made objects are things we possess and ascribe value to, representing our desires and intention to accept and coexist within nature.
The animals and plants that appear in my drawings sort themselves into a few categories; namely plants (vegetables) that are cross-bred or otherwise genetically modified in the pursuit of industrial and economic profit, rare species that have survived in isolated sites away from civilisation such as the DMZ, and finally stray dogs and road kills that have the effect of stirring the viewers’ social conscience. I collect these images through various channels, scavenging the web and museums of natural history, science magazines, etc., and develop my artwork by carefully composed arrangements and depicting the images.
Contemporary artist JooLee Kang installing Chaos at Suwon Ipark Museum of Art, 2018.
What are you working on right now? How are you balancing life and work at home during the lockdown?
To be honest, it was not easy to start working right away after I came back to Seoul from Boston, where I had a solo exhibition recently, which had to be closed down just a week after it opened, due to COVID-19.
For the first couple of weeks, I cleaned my studio and sniffed around books, magazines and websites, which I always wanted to check out but had pushed aside. Now I am back to my work-desk for new drawings. I do not feel the same, but try to focus on my work. Doing art means many things to me including meditation. Labor-intensive drawing helps, especially at a time like this.
Installation view: Chaos at Suwon Ipark Museum of Art. Contemporary artist JooLee Kang. Pen on paper, inkjet print. 2018.
Tell us about your studio, what kind of place is it? Could you describe your usual work-day in the studio?
I prefer a live-in work space rather than a separate studio, because I work late, mostly until 2 or 3 AM. I like to be able to work right away whenever I feel the urge. My current studio in Seoul is a part of a divided living and working area. I turn on the music or radio while I am working in my studio. I take a big break from my work, mainly to cook and eat. I usually have 2 or 3 works in process, and switch between them depending on my mood. The closing hours of my studio vary everyday.
Contemporary artist JooLee Kang installing Chaos at Taipei Fine Arts Museum, 2017.
Are you more of a studio artist or naturally collaborative by nature? How do you feel about commissions?
I am a studio artist. I prefer to work alone. At the same time, I enjoy the opportunities for collaboration and commission because they give me totally different vibe. They are exciting and stressful, and make my heart beat faster. I am open to new experiences.
For enquiries contact: joolee.kang@gmail.com
Before you go – you might like to browse our Artist Interviews. Interviews of artists and outliers on how to be an artist. Contemporary artists on the source of their creative inspiration.
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