Oil on Wood
16 x 20"

2016

During the Japanese colonial era (1910-1945) Japan maliciously attacked the Korean tigers of Baekdusan Mountain, driving them to extinction. The tiger in Korea is regarded as a symbol of Korea's spirit, therefore Japan's efforts were to not only physically take over the Korean people, but also to crush the Korean soul. 
The Korean woman in the middle of this massacre is singing "pansori" which can be considered as Korea's folk opera. The stories sung about in Pansori usually are of tragedy and a single performance can go on for over 9 hours.

Oil on wood
18" x 26.5"

2016

Oil on canvas
20" x 20"

2016

Oil on canvas
20" x 20"

2016

Oil on wood
21" x 21"

2016

Oil on canvas
12" x 36"

2016

Oil on canvas
20" x 24"

2016
 

Oil on canvas
18" x 36"

2016
 

Mixed media and fabric on paper
22" x 20"

2016

Oil and mixed media on canvas and handmade hanging scroll
25x52"

2017


Gyopo is the Korean word for a Korean person living outside of Korea. This term can sometimes have some negative connotations behind it from native Koreans seeing gyopos as having lost touch with their Korean roots. Being a gyopo myself I wanted to paint Korean Americans in a positive light.

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The Scroll Series is showcasing in a positive light the clash of the traditional Asian woman with the modern Asian-American woman. All the models are my friends that I know personally in order to have their identity represented as an Asian American woman of today and capture the essence of who they are beyond their heritage.

Oil and mixed media on canvas and handmade hanging scroll
25x52"

2017

"Otoko Masari" literally translates to "surpass male".   It is a term used to describe women who are better than men in any or all fields (education, career position, physical strength, etc.) and it is more often than not used in a negative way in Japan.  Women strive to be weak and feminine in Japanese society because that is considered desirable, so for a woman to be strong-willed and assertive is not attractive.  In the west, things can be different, which is why I wanted to depict my tiny, modest Japanese friend who has muscles and inner/outer strength that can surpass men and be very desirable and inspirational.

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The Scroll Series is showcasing in a positive light the clash of the traditional Asian woman with the modern Asian-American woman.  All the models are my friends that I know personally in order to have their identity represented as an Asian American woman of today and capture the essence of who they are beyond their heritage.

Oil and mixed media on canvas made into a hanging scroll.
25x52"

2017

Idolization is the Korean slang for the process in which an "average" looking person transforms to over-the-top hot with the help of weight loss, makeup and plastic surgery.  South Korea is the plastic surgery capital of the world with double-eyelid surgery being the most commonly performed procedure.  Many of the beauty standards of Korea (small face, high nose, big eyes) are not natural to most Koreans and even though Koreans don't personally believe they are trying to look western, they are moving away from their natural traditional Korean look.

Oil and mixed media
18" x 36"

2017

Oil on wood+mixed media
48" x 80"
(FRONT)

2017
 

Oil on yupo
24x20"

2017
 

Oil and paper on yupo
24"  x 36"

2017

Oil on yupo
24" x 24"

2017

Oil on yupo
36" x 29"

2017

Oil on yupo paper
20" x 26"

2017

Oil and mixed media on canvas
24" x 36"

2017

Oil on canvas paper
18 x 24"

2017