I understand history as a process of layering, much like sediment accumulating over time. Beneath the surface lie traces of lives, events, and emotions that shaped their eras through endurance, conflict, and survival. Engaging with these layers allows me to sense not only what occurred, but also the emotional weight that continues to resonate in the present.

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My work draws from both collective history and personal memory. I am influenced by my family history, as well as my own experiences of failure, resilience, and the pursuit of a more hopeful future. These private memories form their own layered archive, mirroring the way broader histories are constructed. Through painting and drawing, I layer these memories onto the surface to create visual and emotional depth, transforming the past into something actively felt rather than passively remembered.

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My practice explores the lived experiences of women across different historical periods, with particular attention to moments shaped by social oppression, cultural constraint, and political violence. While Korean history remains an important foundation for my work, I am equally concerned with how similar structures of suffering, resistance, and survival appear across time and place. Working in oil painting, drawing, and digital printmaking, I examine the tension between vulnerability and resilience, loss and persistence.

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Facial expression plays a central role in my compositions. The face becomes a site where history, memory, and emotion converge. Subtle shifts in gaze, tension in the mouth, or the quiet heaviness held in the eyes function as emotional anchors within the image. Rather than depicting explicit narrative moments, I use facial expression to suggest psychological states, allowing viewers to encounter history through empathy and emotional recognition.

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My process begins with research into historical records, oral histories, and personal testimonies, which I translate into layered imagery through symbolism, texture, and form. Over time, the women I depict have increasingly reflected my own body and lived experience. This convergence makes the work an act of identification and care, linking historical narratives to contemporary identity.

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Through this practice, I aim to address the enduring impact of historical trauma while honoring the strength of women who endured and resisted it. My work creates a space where memory, history, and the present moment intersect, inviting reflection on how overlooked and silenced stories continue to shape who we are today.