The Galleries Art Fair in Suwon was held from 26th to 29th June. Since its inception in 1979, the Korea Galleries Art Fair has been the nation’s longest-running art fair, offering a comprehensive view of the flow of contemporary Korean art and driving the growth of the domestic art market. Kyonggi University student Kang Su Hee exhibited her drawings in this art fair and here are her stories.

Q: Where do you usually get your inspiration from?

A: I get a lot of inspiration from my dog and the dogs I met at animal shelters.  

Q: When do you feel the most challenged during your creative process?

A: I think the most difficult moment is when a painting is somewhat complete, and I start to wonder whether I should stop there or keep working on it. I sometimes hesitate, thinking that adding more might be too much. 

Q: When do you feel proudest as an artist? 

A: I feel most rewarded when people look at my paintings and start talking to each other about them. When they smile or laugh at the dogs in my pictures, it really warms my heart. I think the best moment is when the emotions in my work connect naturally with someone’s everyday life and create small moments of empathy. 

Q: Are there any other themes or topics and forms of arts you want to try?

A: Although I mainly work with flat painting at the moment, I would like to try creating videos, installations, or art toys someday. 

Q: What do you think is the most unique thing about your artwork? 

A: One of the main features of my work is that it shows people and dogs dressed as ghosts. My paintings are set in a dystopian, apocalyptic world, and I use the symbol of a ghost to express memories and longing for lost beings.  

Q: Is there something would you like to say to people who see this painting for the first time? 

A: This painting is a story about parting with someone, about longing, and about not forgetting those feelings. I hope this painting feels like a story is flowing through it. I also think it would be nice if people could enjoy interpreting it in different ways.  

Q: All of your artwork shows animals wearing ghost costumes, is there a special reason or story behind choosing this theme? 

A: To me, ghosts don’t just represent death. They are also a metaphor for things or beings we can’t see in this world. I covered the dogs with fabric to show that they still exist, even if they’re not always seen. 

Q: In your art, there are cross-shaped signs with the names ‘Sadie’ and ‘Princess’. Do these names hold any special meanings? 

A: ‘Sadie’ and ‘Princess’ are actually the names of real rescue dogs. I included the signs in the artwork as a way to remember them. 

Q: Is there a message you'd like to convey through your work to those who have experienced the loss of a beloved pet? 

A: By borrowing the form of a ghost, I expressed the idea that these beings are still lingering around us. Although longing doesn’t disappear, I believe that continuing to have conversations with the ones we miss in our hearts might be a way of remembering and living on. 

Q: Please give some advice to those who want to be a painter.

A: Rather than the pressure of having to do well, I think what matters most is whether I can hold on to the desire to keep going, and whether painting remains fun for me.

 Inside her colorful and beautiful drawings there are so many things we should think about.

Media Management Editor • Kim Tae Woo • jerryfighter27@gmail.com 

81st Reporter • An Keum Hyun • angeumhyun1@gmail.com 

83rd Cub Reporter • Ko Eun Seo • kes060620@gmail.com