▲ Artist Oksun Choi

Why artist give titles to their works? It might be because they know the message they want to deliver through the works. Some artists, however, tend not to tag because appreciators might lose their imaginations by the title. Artist Oksun Choi says:

“Appreciators take forms and colors of the work first before trying to understand its meaning or metaphor.” 

Choi is one of those who do not tag. Many of her works were done between 2014 and 2019. The characteristics of her works can be explained with simple dots, lines, surfaces and colors. 

<Untitled 14-10-1> is an expression of our desire to fly like a kite. <Untitled 17-10-1> is an expression of people acting like puppets. <Untitled 17-20-1> is an expression of depth of time and variety of human mind. A few of her works, however, has titles such as <Hongdo>, <Love> and <Moonlit Night>. 

Choi is not interested in pretty pictures but in freedom of dots, lines and surfaces. Finding a clue for her is very important which then follows a subject and a composition. Once settled the clue, the subject and the composition, she lets herself to a flow of the brush whatever forms it brings, wherever place it takes. 

It is notable that she adds oriental elements onto her findings to create a unique ambience. The inspiration of these oriental elements came from folk paintings and wrapping cloths. For this reason, you might feel in her works a freedom or deviation of folk paintings and abstraction or grace of wrapping cloths. 

“I value my curiosity and experience more than my skills. I cherish depth more than toughness of a work. And I prefer letting appreciators feel what they feel to forcing them to feel I suggested.”

Choi held her first solo exhibition in 1996. She wakes 4am to start a work until 7pm. Due to the use of a variety of materials, she moves up and down and around a lot. She is planning to add elements of silk and embroidery onto her works in the future. You can appreciate her works at https://www.opengallery.co.kr/artist/A1007/ 

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