Artist statement for Members showcase in Mills Pond Gallery.

  Today, I visited Mills Pond Gallery to deliver a picture to hang on the member showcase.

Artist statement for Members showcase in Mills Pond Gallery.

  The artist statements written for this group exhibition are as follows as below. 

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  ​Before anything else, I think 2022 will be a meaningful year to fill in this shortcoming. Actually, ten years had passed since 2011, when I made my first debut at the Poly Gallery in Karlsruhe, Germany, and now it is time to prepare for another jump. In theory, after ten years of debuting in any field, there is margin and understanding to get out of a relatively narrow perspective and see a general and long-term view of any situation. Many things happen between the painters who have been walking on an unparalleled path for the past ten years. The way in my case was this: At first, like first love, I start with excitement and a pure heart. Then I discover that this path requires patience and a long walk. I run because I want to walk faster or get there quicker than others when that happens.
 
  And then, from time to time, I must go through trial and error. But there is always a great lesson in failure and trial and error. As I learn these lessons and reflect on them, the best solution is to return to the beginner's mind. The passion comes back. A tired gait becomes lively. With a sincere heart, I pick up the brush again and paint.
 
  ​The painting at this time is not something that arouses awe and admiration from others but is drawn for oneself, exactly saying, for myself. I draw to the extent that I understand and am satisfied with myself. When I draw, I get comfort from pictures. In doing so, I realize that painting is not just a skill, a discipline, or a tool, but life itself. I have become humbler.
And when I get that realization, I find myself no longer impatient. Just as I don't have to say I'm this great in life, I also realize that I don't have to show off that I'm so good at drawing. As I understand that painting is just a window that shows what I want to show, I gradually become freer.
 
​In this regard, I chose the material with a heart of starting over. That's one-dollar watercolor paint. I hope that everyone can easily access paintings, receive comfort, and have fun through pictures. Mainly, I would like to express myself freely and free from the pressure of the most expensive art materials. The subject of the drawing is inspired by everyday life. Therefore, the daily topic changes every day. In this first offline member exhibition, I would like to show you one of them, "Two moving fish."

  ​The work submitted for this group exhibition is moving two fish. Based on the oriental "yin and yang " theory, I drew the movement of red and blue beta fish.
 
​ Yin-Yang is the framework of the idea that all things exist based on the understanding of natural phenomena, with the energy of heaven above and the energy of the earth below. Since the shape and basis of all things can be understood as the energy of yin and yang, it was believed that the changing and developing phenomena were also made by the sympathy of the two energies of yin and yang.
 
 
 To the theory that the other two energy are born, grow. Then die through confrontation and sympathy. They have a particular cycle, complement each other, weaken, and dominate. Everything in the universe changes through mutually complementary actions, and order is restored, maintained, and evolves.
 
My art is expressed based on this theory. In other words, I believe that light does not determine the beauty of an object but that the energy of the object itself determines its beauty. Therefore, the art I pursue is always to explore these energies. If things are inherently beautiful, it is because of their inner energy and not external factors. Therefore, as long as I capture that energy, I will be able to express the object's beauty well.
 
Ultimately, if I can express this vital energy, there will be no need for splendid external lights, artificial lights, or dazzling colors. I just need to feel and catch the waves of energy.
 Personally, I am delighted to show the moving two fish created as part of one of these processes on display at the Mills Pond Gallery in my local area.
 
​ You can also see my other works on the website below.
https://www.annakoh.com