HELLO CHOI, THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE 4BYSIX TEAM FOR A CHAT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ART PRACTICE. 

TO BEGIN, WHEN YOU BEGIN A NEW WORK, HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT STRUCTURING YOUR PAINTINGS? DO YOU START FROM AN EMOTIONAL STATE, A MUSICAL REFERENCE, OR A VISUAL COMPOSITION FIRST, AND HOW DOES THAT INITIAL IMPULSE EVOLVE AS THE PIECE DEVELOPS?

When I listen to music, a certain scene, atmosphere, or tone often comes to mind. I use that as a motif, then begin to imagine and add a story around it. Through this process, the image gradually becomes more visually concrete.

GIVEN THAT EACH PIECE WITHIN YOUR PRACTICE IMBUES A DEEP SENSE OF COMPLICATED FEELINGS, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL ATMOSPHERE YOU HAVE CREATED IN THIS PAINTING?

Although the character in this painting may feel familiar and approachable, I did not want the emotional tone to be simply light or cute. I wanted to express a feeling that is neither entirely realistic nor entirely virtual; something exciting, but also confused and unstable.

IN THIS PIECE, YOU PAINTED ON ONE OF 4BYSIX’S UNCONVENTIONAL CANVAS MADE FROM PRESSED RECYCLED PLASTIC. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE CHARACTER AND SCENE DEPICTED? WERE THERE ANY SPECIFIC MUSICAL REFERENCES FOR THIS PIECE?

This painting depicts a calm and peaceful space, filled with warm sunlight around 4 p.m. Within that setting, I wanted to portray an anxious and incomplete youth; a dreamer. There was no specific single song that directly inspired the piece, but while working on it, I mainly listened to bedroom pop.

GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND IN SCULPTURE, OIL PAINTING, AND TUFTING, HOW DID YOU FIND WORKING ON THE PLASTIC PANEL CANVAS? DID THE NATURE OF THE MATERIAL INSPIRE A SPECIFIC DIRECTION SUCH AS THE COLOURS OF COMPOSITION?

I have always been interested in smooth, artificial surfaces, so I found the plastic panel very intriguing to work with. Because the surface was smooth and had no texture, I used coloured pencils to create a softer and richer expression of colour.

WHAT LED YOU TO COLLABORATE WITH 4BYSIX, AND HOW DID THIS PARTNERSHIP INFLUENCE OR EXPAND YOUR PRACTICE AS LOFI COLLECTIVE IN TERMS OF BOTH PROCESS AND CREATIVE DIRECTION?

I was attracted to the idea of transforming recycled materials into new artwork. Through the 4BYSIX project, working on a plastic panel made me more interested in other recycled materials as well. In fact, I have also experimented with making works on cardboard boxes and packaging materials.

AS MANY OF YOUR PIECES ARE SET WITHIN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT, DOES THE STATE, AND THEREFORE CONCERN, OF THE NATURAL WORLD FEED INTO YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS AT ALL?

I think many of my works are set against urban backgrounds because I am interested in the contemporary world and the spaces in which we exist today. Since we no longer exist only in physical spaces, some of my backgrounds are based on places I have actually experienced, while others are inspired by virtual spaces such as games.

My work does not directly express concern or commentary about specific environmental issues. Rather, I try to depict the artificial state of the present era as I see and experience it.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO PAINT, AND HOW DO THOSE DRIVING FORCES, PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, MUSIC, OR EMOTIONAL, SHAPE THE WORLDS AND CHARACTERS YOU CREATE IN YOUR WORK?

My driving force comes from a desire to express my personal taste and sense of identity. This is why subcultural elements appear in my work, and why I use a virtual avatar as a figure that can represent both myself and others.

FINALLY, HOW ARE YOU AND HOW HAS LIFE IN THE STUDIO BEEN FOR YOU RECENTLY? ARE THEY ANY NEW AND UPCOMING PROJECTS YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TOWARDS?

Recently, I have been trying many different approaches in order to find my own form. I have been making new paintings, experimenting with different methods, and also attempting installation-based works. I am also preparing for a two-person exhibition that will take place in September.