Korean artist Hye Young Shin’s works include books, paper sculpture, drawings and prints. Through her work, Shin desires to create a structural and ambiguous space through which the viewer is encouraged to recall and create memories in her art space. Shin uses the forms of books and paper due to their ability to hold and share experiences and memories.

During her residency in ‘ace  the artist developed big scale drawings that are part of an installation in the Poliglota Room. Human figures in introspection and reflexive attitudes at different heights, pursue to create a solemne atmosphere related to particular situations as facing a relatives illness or loss.

Currently, she is the Assistant Professor of Print Media in the Department of Art & Art History in the University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My art practice centers on visualising connections that make human relationships and kindle new meaning.

In the project Blessing, I attempt to create human figure drawings that hopefully enable the manifestation of emotional evolution of individuals who are facing illnesses in various ways. From my own recent experience of suffering and death of my close family member, I realized a profound appreciation for human life after my father’s passing. It was an awakening moment not only for myself as an artist who seeks to produce artwork that serves a profound metaphor for the value of being human but also as an individual that wants a close relationship with another person.

I hope this project serves as a nostalgic accomplishment for my own grief and for other people who have similar sorrows and regrets by losing loved ones with incurable illnesses.