Kangminji

kangminji | Living trees

You describe anxiety as something that surrounds a complete human being. How did this idea emerge in your personal experience?

Yes, this view comes from my personal experience. When I was a child, an event made me realize how much uncertainty in relationships can create anxiety. That experience led me to reflect on the relationships I have formed throughout my life, from childhood to the present. I felt happiness while building connections with people, but at the same time I worried because I was too happy. Eventually, I realized that anxiety was always waiting for me, and that many people around me live with similar feelings.

In what ways does living in a large city influence the emotions and themes in your paintings?

Large cities are densely populated, which means constant contact with people. After moving from a small town to a big city, I met many different kinds of people and encountered many forms of anxiety. The more diverse these forms were, the broader the themes I wanted to express in my work became.

You mentioned painting as a response to questions that arise while surviving life. What kinds of questions do you explore most often?

These questions mainly arise from pain. I reflect on the suffering I experience in my life. I try to understand why I am in pain at a given moment and what that pain is causing within me.

How do social relationships shape your sense of anxiety and empathy, as reflected in your work?

In social relationships, I both love and dislike people at the same time. I often feel overwhelmed by the anxiety created by these emotional fluctuations. Through painting, I express all the emotions that stem from this anxiety. It feels as if I draw in order to release or resolve these feelings.

How has studying visual arts in college changed or refined your artistic voice?

I see university as a step toward presenting my work more effectively to others. During my studies, I have learned how to communicate what I want to express more clearly and how to apply these methods to my practice.

Are there particular artists, movements, or cultural influences that have shaped your approach to painting?

I admire and respect the work of Alberto Giacometti. I feel that the pain I often explore in my own work exists as a vital force in his art.

What do you hope viewers feel or reflect on when they encounter your paintings?

I hope viewers will feel comfort and empathy. Just as I sublimate the anxiety and pain I have experienced in my life through painting, I hope the audience can use my work as a medium to process and relieve their own pain.