Artist Q&A with KwangHo Shin
KwangHo Shin attempts to capture the complex relationship between the expression of emotion and the experience of the mind. With roots in Abstract Expressionism, he employs intense and vibrant oils juxtaposed with charcoal to distort the facial features of his subjects and confront them psychologically.
The artist deliberately refuses the depiction of precise form and proportion in an effort to transcend conventional representation and in turn confronts a more visceral type of portraiture. Faces are deconstructed but retain the power of expression as the artist reimagines them in a patchwork of carefully yet energetically applied strokes of color. Shin’s paintings convey the inner psychological processes of his subjects but also remind the viewer of the artist’s presence.
Who is your favorite artist of all time?
My favorite artists include Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, and Alberto Giacometti.
How did you become a professional artist?
Because I used to like making or drawing something, I went to an art high school and naturally went to an art school. By making works and posting them on social media after graduation, I was able to arrive at this point. I just did what I enjoyed doing.
What are the influences and inspirations in your work?
The images in my art are shaped through the emotions formed in conversation with the people around me, and the images and stories gathered through mass media such as the news.
How is your work different than everything else out there?
I mainly use primary colors, and the texture is very thick; therefore, I believe that my work permits multitude of emotions and feelings when seen in person.
