The Study of Life (2023, 12 x 12 in. triptych: wooden panels, paper, handmade hanji paper, and handmade paper made out of my recycled Cell Biology notes).
This installation is a reflection of my passion for trying to understand life—both through scientific and artistic perspectives. Through The Study of Life, I peer into the uncommon pairing that are my two interests—biology and studio art. Though the two are not so often studied together, I feel the need to understand the principles of life scientifically but also to understand life through the reflective process of making art to uncover meaning beyond the laws of the universe.
While biology is meant to be an objective study, the way that one appreciates the complexity of cellular life mirrors the way that one may appreciate the complex language of an art piece. The use of hanji material in my work connects me to the origins of my parents' hometown, Jeonju, South Korea, renowned for its association with hanji. Much like cells forming the body, the making and physical nature of hanji embody the heritage that shapes my identity. This piece visualizes my ongoing effort to tie my understanding of the physical human body to the living experience of it.