karekare 2020/2021

KAREKARE

2020 was a drama.

No one knew what might happen next.

Until my residency really started, I wasn’t sure I could even begin.

Every moment at Karekare House was wonderful to work and stay in.
I am especially thankful that I could spend the time with my beloved cat Milky

and make a memorable last journey with him.
I wish to come back to Karekare with a new project in the future.

Unexpectedly, my Karekare House residency was influenced by the current global pandemic of Covid-19. It made me take the time to consider the nature around us and to respect co-existent living creatures. Spending time in Karekare post 1st lockdown and during the 2nd lockdown, the restrictions made me focus on the exploration of Karekare through various practices as if it was my entire small world.

During my residency, my work was categorised into 3 projects:

WALING ON THE FLOATING MOMENT - KAREKARE, a sublime nature of

WINCHELSEA, RESTORATION - The time I’ve never been

ALIVENESS _SYMBIOSIS - When the world is in lockdown

In each project, I tried to merge my experiences, and thoughts of the moment that I had in Karekare, by less figurative gestures in abstractive perspective with found images and objects.

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WALKING ON A FLOATING MOMENT

KAREKARE, a sublime nature of

I enjoyed the changeable winter atmosphere in Karekare everyday. It created a mystical beauty with sun, rain, storm, wind, mist and hail. Every moment filled me with the thrill and fear of an untamed nature.

My canvas was not big enough to contain all of my emotions. Each of the brush strokes, textures and colours was inspired by the tactile air of Karekare. Even now I can’t forget my very first walk to Karekare beach.

Towards the end of my residency, spring had arrived. The calm beach began to get crowded and the wet sand became dry.
Blooming colours began popping out.
I noticed one day my painting was reflecting this spring mood.

ALIVENESS_SYMBIOSIS

When the world in lockdown was

During the first lockdown, I stayed at my parents’ house in Paihia. I took a short walking track right next to their house. On the track, I spent more time observing the nature than before. It was the only thing I could do outside of my home. Every day, I recorded my walking route. I realised there were numerous spider webs along the path where many people must have passed by every day. Sometime, I just stood watching the spider webs’ movements in the breeze. Spider webs catch small sized creatures such as insects as well as tiny leaves and water drops. Even though our world had stopped, the spider must never stop their activities. It may sound like nothing special but it was a big moment of awareness for me. If spider webs symbolised fear when I was young in Korea, the webs made me feel alive during the lockdown period in New Zealand. I perceived that we live obliviously amongst many creatures in every moment.

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WINCHELSEA RESTORATION

When my residency was halfway through, the second Level 3 lockdown was suddenly announced. No one knew how long it would continue for.
I started a new project called Restoration with the construction waste from Winchelsea House which was being renovated at the time. I collected pieces of wallpaper, bricks and wooden panel. I started to restore the time in which I have never been with the found pieces.

The time I've never been

KAREKARE

Click to download full story of Karekare Artist Residency

WALKING ON A FLOATING MOMENT

ALIVENESS_SYMBIOSIS

WINCHELSEA RESTORATION

Click to download full story
of Karekare Artist Residency