Keo En Hyun, BORN IN 1968
Exhibitions
Education
2021 - 2024 MFA, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California
2020 - 2021 Academy of Art Center, Los Angeles, California
2018 - 2020 SDU, Seoul, Korea
2004 - 2006 Ph.D in Oriental Medicine, American Liberty University, Fullerton, California
2000 - 2004 MS, Oriental Medicine, Dongguk Royal University, Los Angeles, California
1992 - 1992 American Association of Animation, Los Angeles, California
1990 - 1991 Fine Art, UC Riverside, Riverside, California
1988 - 1990 Applied Art, Art College, Seoul, Korea
1982 - 1987 Hong Ik Art Academy, Seoul, Korea
Aug 2024 Catharsis, Heritage Gallery, Azusa, California
July 2023 Sasse Museum of Art, Pomona, California
Artist Statement
I invite you to journey through my unique artistic expression, where I use the transformative power of fire to create my works. By burning canvas, I weave the threads of my past pains and traumas into abstract forms, giving shape to the echoes of my experiences.
My artistic journey began with acrylic paint, capturing photographs and dreams yet to be fulfilled. However, a pivotal moment of introspection led me to question my essence: "Who am I now? Who was I before?" This profound inquiry became the heart of my work.
Fire, with its duality of destruction and purification, serves as my medium and metaphor for my life. It symbolizes a process of healing, allowing me to confront and transcend painful memories. The soot and ashes left on the canvas embody the scars I've borne and the growth they've fostered within me.
My creations extend beyond just their visual appeal but also invite viewers to explore their inner selves. I hope my work prompts reflection, encouraging viewers to recall your own pains and healing journeys. I hope that those viewing these works find in my art a mirror for your experiences, and through it, discover new avenues of hope and renewal.
저는 여러분을 저의 독특한 예술적 표현의 여정으로 초대합니다. 저는 불의 변형적인 힘을 이용하여 작품을 만듭니다. 캔버스를 태우면서 과거의 고통과 트라우마를 추상적인 형태로 엮어내어 경험의 메아리에 형태를 부여합니다.
저의 예술 여정은 아크릴 물감으로 시작되었고, 아직 이루어지지 않은 사진과 꿈을 담았습니다. 그러나 깊은 자기 성찰의 순간이 저를 본질에 대해 질문하게 만들었습니다: "나는 지금 누구인가? 예전에는 누구였는가?" 이 심오한 질문이 저의 작업의 핵심이 되었습니다.
파괴와 정화의 이중성을 지닌 불은 저의 매체이자 삶의 비유가 됩니다. 이는 치유의 과정을 상징하며, 저로 하여금 고통스러운 기억을 직면하고 초월할 수 있게 합니다. 캔버스에 남은 그을음과 재는 제가 견뎌온 상처와 그 상처가 내면에서 키워낸 성장을 구현합니다.
저의 작품은 단순한 시각적 매력을 넘어서서 관객들이 내면을 탐구하도록 초대합니다. 저의 작업이 관객에게 반추를 유도하고, 자신의 고통과 치유의 여정을 떠올리게 하기를 바랍니다. 저의 예술이 여러분의 경험을 비추는 거울이 되어 새로운 희망과 재생의 길을 발견하기를 희망합니다.
My Story
Born in Korea in 1968, I once dreamed of becoming an artist. However, that dream was set aside during my second year of college. Life took over—marriage, raising four children, attending acupuncture school, and running a clinic kept me occupied. But at the age of 50, three decades after leaving college, I picked up the brush once more. As I began to paint again, I discovered that the creative process not only helped me reconnect with my passion but also provided a powerful release for my past pains and traumas. Through art, I embarked on a healing journey—a true catharsis.