CEREMONY brings together publicly established artists and the everyday artist: those friends who scribble poems in their notes app that the world needs to see and celebrate.
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Minkyung
“A few keywords that would represent my work would be poetic-ness and mundane to magical and finding happiness in small things. I have great attention to detail, and I usually focus on one thing and I'm like, ‘I like that, and I really want to dig into it.’ It makes me think of this Korean phrase that is derived from Buddhism. It's called "소확행" (so-hwak-haeng), and it means you're feeling happiness, or you're getting happiness with small things, and through the practice of being happy with small events happening in your life, you're able to achieve a well-rounded life. This might not be the exact answer or like, meaning of 소확행 (so-hwak-haeng) but during times when people were very stressed, and during the pandemic, this term was, very, very popular, because everyone was frustrated; they had to find some happiness in their life during this very uncertain, isolated, and constrained environment. So even waking up in the morning, watching a sunset—like what we're doing right now—or even just bumping into someone new. That could be an element of happiness that we can achieve.”
Minkyung is a Korean-Canadian artist based in New York whose work illuminates the often-overlooked intricacies of daily life and celebrates the subtle colors and textures of nature. Her practice centers on capturing delicate phenomena, like the nuanced shifts in color and the gentle play of shadows on surfaces, drawing viewers’ attention to the beauty in life’s smallest details. Using natural and raw materials, Minkyung’s work evokes a sense of intimacy and wonder, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the details of her creations.
Her work embodies the Korean concept of "아기자기" (agi-jagi), which translates to harmonious, picturesque, and precious—a quality she achieves through carefully selected materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Everyday materials such as soil, paper, and eggshells are transformed, taking on new significance through a process akin to ascetic devotion. With delicate forms, organic textures, and curated colors, Minkyung transports viewers into a world where each piece serves as a portal to explore the subtle nuances of existence.