Song of the Cosmos, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
An artists primary goal is often to conjure disparate worlds, but perhaps none are as fantastical asSeongmin Yoos.
No matter their conceit, these works beautifully showcase Yoos tremendous imagination and her preference forfuturistimagery.
“Song of the Cosmos,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
ThoughVisions of the Universefocuses on painting, Yoo nevertheless identifies as an interdisciplinary artist.
Read on for our exclusive interview with the artist.
Rolling Eye, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
“Rolling Eye,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Get Ready to Disembark, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
What originally drew you to art, and how did you develop your personal style?
I got into art practice naturally during my early life.
“Get Ready to Disembark,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Shes a poet, but in many ways, shes also an artist.
She expressed herself through poetry, embroidery, and crafts.
As I grew older, art-making became a way for me to understand who I am.
“Offset Magnetic System,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Offset Magnetic System, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
What intrigues you about surrealist imagery, and how do you incorporate this throughout your art?
People often see surrealist imagery in my paintings, but I consider myself more of a futurist.
“Spectrum of Soul,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
So yes, I identify as a futurist.
Visions of the Universeis inspired by my imagination of space travel.
I imagine us traveling to different planets and encountering new creatures.
“Entwined Origins,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Each painting I create represents its own unique planet, with its own creatures, environments, and ecosystems.
Thats how I envision my work, and its a concept I want to share with people.
This series has a dreamy, vibrant, and hopeful quality because Im thinking about the future with optimism.
“Stirring the Stars,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Although the imagery is bright and colorful, theres a deeper message behind it.
I want to express the idea that, despite our differences in appearance, we are all connected.
Spectrum of Soul, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
“Echoes of Tumble and Twirl,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Entwined Origins, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
You often include unusual and humorous creatures throughout your art.
What compels you about these creatures, and how do you imbue them with distinct personalities?
“Drifting Eternities,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Thats why my process starts there.
When I create a creature, I naturally develop a sense of respect for it.
Since these beings are completely alien, I dont know who they are or how they exist.
“Whipping Up Wonders,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
I dont want to assume they eat, sleep, or behave like humans.
After creating the creature, I start to imagine the kind of environment it would live in.
Through this process, they start to develop their own personalities, which is something I deeply care about.
“Where Laughter Grows Deep,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Thats why I feel the need to create distinct worlds for them.
Stirring the Stars, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
Echoes of Tumble and Twirl, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
“Spirit Planet,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
You work across several media, but your current show at Corey Helford Gallery focuses primarily on painting.
What’s your creative process like when it comes to painting?
Its true that this show, however, is primarily focused on my paintings.
“Floating Rocks,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Drifting Eternities, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
Whipping Up Wonders, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
What was the experience preparing for the exhibition, and do you have any favorite pieces in it?
“Geyser Bug,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Preparing for this show has been a really great experience, especially with the support from Corey Helford Gallery.
That initial attraction encourages them to engage more deeply with the underlying concepts.
I discovered this through observing how audiences interact with my installations.
This understanding has influenced my current painting series.
Ive been happily preparing for this exhibition, and Im fortunate to have two shows happening simultaneously.
Where Laughter Grows Deep, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
Spirit Planet, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
What does it mean for you to be an interdisciplinary artist?
What are the themes you most like to interrogate throughout your art?
Working across painting, sculpture, installation, and other forms isnt easy.
But for me, the medium always comes after the concept.
In the beginning, I was worried about not focusing solely on painting.
I know that kind of dedication can produce exceptional work.
But now, Im happy with the path Ive chosen.
Ive been making sculptures that focus on the immigrant body, expressing feelings of navigating unfamiliar spaces.
Floating Rocks, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
What do you hope people will take away from your work?
My interest in color and color theory plays a significant role in this process.
For me, art is all about sharing a sense of hope and connection.
Geyser Bug, featured in Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up?
I have an exciting project coming up.
The arrangement will invite viewers to walk through and around the figures, becoming part of the installation.
Seongmin Yoo:Website|Instagram
Corey Helford Gallery:Website|Instagram
Interview has been edited to length and clarity.
My Modern Met granted permission to feature images by Corey Helford Gallery.
