"The act of painting provides feelings of rootness and a permanent home where I've never been. The unity. And this activates myself to be a willing sacrifice."
Yeonsu's Instagram: @yeonsuju
How and when did you know you wanted to be an artist?
In 2017 I made a complete life shift from studying sociology to Art, because of my too-muchness, love for painting (and painting for love). I once said to my lover, “I want to live in your closet”, instead of telling him that I want to live with him. I was never good at speaking my mind through verbal/text language when it came to love. As Jacques Lacan mentioned, there are things that cannot be signified in text - I always felt there were things left behind, unspoken. At some point, I had to invent my own way to say how much I <3 you. And I felt painting could be the language that delivers my heart in a way that language cannot.
What was your experience of art school?
11 out of 10. Slade is such a lovely community, never saw a single person to talk bad about. It was sincere and genuine. Tutors and peers are supportive, you can get good questions answered, and meet different perspectives and views. It’s just, at the end of your course, you'll find yourself to have changed and grown a lot as an artist, not just an art school student.
Can you tell us more about the ideas and inspiration behind your work?
My art practice is an exploration of absence, memory, and love. My paintings are inspired by the traditional Korean ritual of 'Gijesa', a mourning ritual where people honour their ancestors at the earliest hour of their death anniversary with food offerings prepared the day before. The idea of 'Gijesa' in my work initially comes from missing my granny's funeral due to COVID restrictions, time difference, and distance.
In my work, I reimagine this cultural practice as an imaginary space where one can meet absent love(s). Therefore, the process of painting to me is regarded as a ritual ceremony for mourning and recalling the ‘yet not appeared’. I consider myself a host who invites and prepares to meet others. Within my paintings, emotion is edible. I show my feelings in the food I represent. By consuming “me” as food, I become a part of the figures.
Are there other artists or movements that have inspired your work?
Too many, but Bacon always will be my absolute hero, and naturally Picasso, as Bacon was inspired by him a lot as well. I’m currently looking at Egon Schiele; what can stay on the paper and what is taken out... kind of thing. Massively influenced by Bataille’s Eroticism and Bergson’s theory about time, memory and image. Expressionism, Action painting...
Can you describe a typical day in the studio? How do you approach your work?
I have a routine. I grab an iced Earl Grey vanilla tea latte with an espresso shot without any syrup. Sit down with AirPods on - sound maximum so nobody can disturb me - and read books. Currently, I’m enjoying Bergson’s ‘Mind-Energy’. Then, I go to the studio. Staring at reference photos with my body movement – I usually do danceish thing; let my body sway with rhythm. Scribble the composition on the backside of my paper palette. Then I dive into painting. I let the lines, movements and colours come to me, then I know the figure would appear. By giving myself to the painting, I get to approach the image.