Oonju Chun: In the Studio
In preparation for our current solo show for Oonju Chun, we visited the artist’s home studio to discuss her latest work and make decisions around the exhibition paintings. Her light-filled, custom-built space gave us a new perspective on the vitality of her work, her spontaneous process and light hearted approach to painting. “I am not trying to be understood as an artist,” says Chun, whose methods align closely with those of the Abstract Expressionists, particularly Joan Mitchell and other women artists of the movement, as she values immediacy and pure emotion when painting.
Oonju Chun’s solo exhibition, “Can we all get along?” is currently on display at 529 25th Street in Ogden, Utah now through July 24th. Visit during business hours or join us this Friday night, July 2nd, for Art Stroll from 6-8pm to see the work in person. You can also visit our exhibition page to browse available work and read more about the show. In the meantime, enjoy this glimpse into the artist’s studio along with her personal statement surrounding the work.
“My work has no agenda. There are no pre-conceived images or intellectual considerations. It is not allegorical. For me, painting is instinctual. The reason why I paint is because it carries a voice that cannot be expressed by my words.”
”Painting has evolved into much more of a personal creative process for me in that, as life continues, as it does for all, my work documents my artistic decisions which no one can duplicate. The years of my life have provided me purpose and sense of direction, allowing me to be more honest with my work. I am not trying to be understood as an artist. When I walk up to a blank canvas, what happens is a spontaneous visual reaction with each stroke of line or color. I relinquish the responsibility to create meaning, however on a certain level, that is the more meaningful aspect of why I paint.”
“I have lived in the United States now for over 40 years, but culturally, I am strongly rooted in my Korean identity. My work inherently merges these two influences. While I identify with the quiet minimalistic sensibilities of Eastern aesthetics, I am always drawn to the rawness of particular Western art.”
“The most I could hope for from my viewers is that they are able to experience a similar emotional response as I do. I do not expect viewers to extract any sort of meaning or story, but if they do, it shall be in the context of their own experiences and decisions.”
