In October 2024, I was interviewed by U1 Gallery, based in Tokyo and Seoul, about my art journey. It was especially meaningful because the interview was published in three languages: English, Korean, and Japanese.
Here are some excerpts from the interviews.
1. Welcome to u1 gallery. We are so grateful to be able to interview you. Could you introduce yourself? How did you begin creating art?
Hello, my name is ChanMi, and I'm a contemporary artist living in the suburbs of Philadelphia, USA. I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, where I developed a love for various forms of creativity during my childhood, such as poetry, music, crafts, and painting. Growing up, I had the privilege of spending time in my grandfather's art studio, who was a traditional calligraphy artist in South Korea. Despite my deep appreciation for art, I pursued a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish Language and Literature at Korea University in Seoul. Later on, I pursued a graduate degree in Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. It was during the precious moments of my child's nap time that I rediscovered the joy of painting, and my passion for art was reignited. As I entered my late 30s, I fully embraced art as my true calling, and in recent years, I have been actively creating numerous captivating contemporary paintings.
2. Could you describe one artwork or series from your oeuvre that you feel was pivotal in your career?
In 2021, I proudly introduced my very first abstract art collection called Imperfect Splendor, marking it as one of the most significant projects of my artistic career. What sets Imperfect Splendor paintings apart is their unconventional creation process. Instead of using traditional brushes, I employ special tools like "spatulas or shapers" to craft rough and textured layers, giving the artworks a unique depth and ruggedness. These paintings deliberately deviate from clean-cut and conventional styles, intentionally incorporating multiple layers and blemishes to mirror the imperfections we encounter throughout our personal journeys. Life's path is often filled with mistakes, disappointments, sorrows, and brokenness, which these paintings seek to reflect. However, amidst all the imperfections, these artworks reveal the enduring presence of beauty. By allowing God's great mercy and love to redeem, restore, and reshape our stories, we can discover beauty even in life's imperfect places. Thus, the Imperfect Splendor collection captures and celebrates the extraordinary beauty that arises from imperfection itself. These "imperfectly splendid pieces" have touched and inspired many individuals, serving as a reminder that it is perfectly okay to be imperfect and broken. Moreover, they call upon us to recognize that there is a deeper, rebuilt beauty to be cherished as we embrace the transformative power of the Creator and Redeemer God, allowing Him to redefine and repurpose our journey.
What do you hope that the audience takes away from your art?
(What meaning do you give to your works?)
In today's world, which can be described as "Light-deficient," I am reminded of the powerful words from John 1:5: "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Through my art, I aspire to be a beacon of hope-filled Light in the midst of a troubled world. A Light that speaks of hope, grace, restoration, and the unwavering and everlasting love of our Heavenly Father. He is continuously at work, bringing forth renewal and transformation in every aspect of our lives: personally, communally, professionally, and in our relationships. This Light is not content with merely offering us an "okay" life; rather, it desires to grant us an abundant, overflowing, unshakeable, and ever-satisfying existence as we journey through this life towards heaven. In my paintings showcased in the exhibition "Journey To Heaven," my intention is for the audience to catch glimpses of the heavenly realm. However, above all, I long for them to experience the profound, unyielding, liberating, never-ending, and steadfast love that God has for each and every one of them on their own personal journey.
Read the full interview in English : https://u1gallery.blogspot.com/2024/10/interview-with-chanmi-jung-pyles.html
Read the full interview in Korean : https://u1gallery.blogspot.com/2024/10/interview-with-chanmi-jung-pyles-korean.html
Read the full interview in Japanese: https://u1gallery.blogspot.com/2024/11/interview-with-chanmi-jung-pyles.html
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