eunice park

Inspiration comes from my own life experiences and judgments.  I grew up with the firm values and beliefs of my Korean culture, but also was surrounded by the liberal and more open-minded American culture. The need to find the perfect balance and comfort between the two cultures was a constant admonition that was carried on my shoulders. My life is a composition of juxtapositions, and I intuitively relay these themes into my work. I meld techniques used in communication arts with the history of painting, using aspects of both discrete backgrounds in my process to visually depict my main underlying theme of freedom versus control. Consistently being told of who to be, what to do and never quite fully fitting in, I no longer abide by limiting constraints and expectations others impose on me. By painting with a drawing approach, I mix fully rendered, representational details with looser, expressive sketches. Liberated from the rules, leaving behind stray marks. The layers of marks illustrate the physical thought process and decision-making, revealing the human hand. I am drawn to the challenge of finding the parallels of contrasting themes, and conceptualizing the blend of opposing dualities, being intentional with my choices, whether it is through my approach or the subject matter.   

 I have begun to direct and explore my work towards my personal history. As a result, I am able to devote myself into the piece and create more artistically genuine and authentic work. From the distortions of memories and reimagining dreams to life, my challenge is realizing and bridging together opposing themes to discover new viewpoints and perspectives to reality. My work has become the growing manifestation of the balance and belonging I once strived for.