Let me know you better - The Virgin and Child

Let me know you better
- The Virgin and Child

The drawings now became 156

My journey has taken me from Seoul to Gangneung, Newcastle, Bundang, Seoul, London and eventually to Berlin. Each city, with its unique culture and experiences, has contributed to my hybrid identity. This amalgamation of East and West within me sparked a profound reflection on my sense of belonging, particularly during my time in Berlin, where I felt most acutely the reality of being an Ausländer. This experience of feeling like an outsider propelled me to delve into themes of ‘outlanderness,’ ‘Asianness,’ and ‘Europianness’.

In my artistic pursuit, I am more than ever dedicated to bridging the gap between my heritage and the cultural landscape of this foreign land. My project, this project explores the essence of European identity and aims to illuminate the synergies between Eastern and Western viewpoints, advocating for a world where internationality enriches rather than disrupts local cultures.

The project’s first series, “The Virgin and Child,” is inspired by my visits to museums across Europe, notably the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. These institutions, guardians of European heritage, often feature the iconic motif of Maria and the infant Jesus—a fundamental emblem of Catholicism and European tradition. This recurring theme sparked my interest, to examine Europe’s historical perspectives on womanhood, the medieval mindset, and the complex cultural and political interplays that have shaped European states.

Utilising Korean style sketch book and a portable brush tip pen, I produced fourteen on-site sketches focused on these divine representations. These sketches, created in the presence of the artworks themselves, formed the basis for a series of completed drawings that I finalised upon returning home, during the Easter holiday—a time symbolic of rebirth and contemplation. This project is more than an artistic endeavor; it’s a historical journey that seeks to weave together European and Eastern narratives. Through ‘Let me know you better,’ I aim to foster a dialogue that transcends time and space, promoting understanding and respect across cultural divides.

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