How did you first become interested in art?

I first became interested in art as a thirteen year-old, when I began to a read monthly art magazine.

 
What is your background? (Studies, any major shows/exhibitions/claims to fame)

I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degree in sculpture at Hongik University in Seoul, debuted in 1999 and had solo exhibitions in Seoul, LA, and Beijing and numerous group exhibitions at galleries and museums in Tokyo, Nantes, Paris, Milan, Bologna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, Stuttgart , Santiago, and London.

 
What is your work about?

From a big perspective, many of my works are about the sculpture itself, but I also get influenced by advertisements and everyday life.

 
What work did you exhibit in Manchester for the Asia Triennial?

Deodorant Type works called Yamaha and Control are being exhibited.

 
What kind of reactions do your subjects have to your work? Do they think the sculptures are realistic? Scary? Funny?

All the reactions just mentioned are all definitely one of the reactions I get. In my opinion, my models are people who deviated from themselves in a delicate way. People understand my work to a certain extent when they come across it at a gallery or a museum, but it doesn’t seem to be the same way in everyday ordinary life. A pregnant woman from the neighborhood where my studio is located complained about my work, calling it a frightening and distasteful mannequin. I was a bit hurt by that, haha. 
 

What do you think of the Asia Triennial? Have you seen some interesting work? Where?

I felt that many of the works reflected political and social issues both directly and indirectly, and I personally found Wooram Choi’s work interesting.  
 

Did you make it to Manchester for the opening of the exhibition? Did you get chance to look at any galleries? What did you think?

Despite the fact that all the works are from the Asia, I was able to recognize the distinct features and characteristics depending on the different countries and regions.

 
What artists inspire you?

Lately, it’s been the ancient sculptors. It depends on the occasion, but the ancient sculptures greatly interest me.

 
What new artists are worth checking out?

There seem to be many artists worth checking out in Korea at the moment. If I were to choose, it would be Hyungkoo Lee, and Suejin Chung.

 
Is there anything extra you want to say?

Please come by and enjoy contemporary art.