Meet Juri Rhyu | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Juri Rhyu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juri, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My nomadic journey began at age 13. Through Kumon English classes, I developed an idealized vision of America as a peaceful place full of greenery and love, which inspired me to study abroad. In class, we watched serene, almost propaganda-like videos where everyone spoke English, showcasing beautiful big houses, nice green backyards, clean streets, and kids running around. As a girl living in Seoul, Korea, surrounded by the concrete jungle of the 90s, such scenes seemed unimaginable.

After many days of convincing my parents, I expressed my strong desire to learn English. Ironically, they sent me to Montréal, Canada, to study English.

That 16-hour flight completely changed my life. Suddenly, I found myself in Montréal, a French-speaking region, living with an Italian family and attending a tough public English school where even the teachers swore. To survive, I first became an expert in body language before learning the language itself. I learned to use hand gestures to communicate with my wonderful Italian host family, which had a significant influence on my art. This experience taught me that body language, especially hand gestures, can express many emotions effectively, such as love, compassion, and comfort.

Throughout the many ups and downs of being away from home and my parents, I often comforted myself in my sparse room by hugging myself and reassuring that everything would be okay. This self-soothing ritual greatly inspired my art, which frequently features hand gestures to convey the message that everything will be okay.

My artwork is a reflection of my journey and experiences. I use vivid colors and dynamic compositions to bring life to the hand gestures that were so crucial in my communication and survival. Each piece is a testament to the resilience and adaptability I developed during my formative years abroad. By incorporating elements of my multicultural experiences, I aim to create art that resonates with a universal audience, evoking feelings of hope, connection, and reassurance. My work often explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of non-verbal communication, making it a deeply personal yet widely relatable expression of my life’s journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist and educator. My work delves into the emotional complexities of the human experience. Through my non-medium-specific art, I seek to capture the nuances of universal emotions and offer comfort to those who view my work.

What sets my art apart is its focus on hand gestures and body language, elements I relied on heavily during my early years in Montréal. As a young girl navigating a new language and culture, these gestures became my primary means of communication. Now, they play a central role in my art, which often features vibrant colors and dynamic compositions to evoke emotions and convey messages of hope, connection, and reassurance.

I am particularly proud of how my art resonates with a wide audience, transcending language barriers and cultural differences. Each piece tells a story of resilience, adaptability, and the universal human experience. The recognition and positive feedback I’ve received have been incredibly rewarding and affirm that my work connects with people on a deeper level.

My art is a reflection of my feelings, thoughts, and dreams, with a particular focus on exploring the feeling of sadness inherent to the human experience. As I often say, “Every human is a little bit sad all the time because you know nothing can stay the same. But by acknowledging it, we can embrace life’s inevitable changes.” Through my art, I aim to capture the complexity of this emotion, giving it shape and form, while also offering a sense of comfort and consolation.

Getting to where I am today professionally has been far from easy. It involved navigating cultural shocks, language barriers, and the emotional turmoil of being away from home. The challenges were numerous, but each one taught me valuable lessons. I learned the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and the power of non-verbal communication. These lessons not only enriched my art but also strengthened my character.

One of the biggest challenges was finding my voice and style in a competitive field. To overcome this, I embraced my unique experiences and allowed them to inform my work. I realized that my multicultural background and the struggles I faced could be turned into strengths. By staying true to myself and my story, I found a niche that set me apart from others.

Along the way, I’ve learned the importance of community and support. The encouragement from mentors, friends, and family has been invaluable. They believed in me when I doubted myself and pushed me to keep going.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that it’s rooted in authenticity and a deep understanding of the human condition. My art is not just about aesthetics; it’s about conveying emotions and stories that people can relate to. It’s about finding beauty in resilience and strength in vulnerability. Through my work, I hope to inspire others to embrace their unique stories and to find comfort in the knowledge that everything will be okay.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I like to go to Runner Stone, a small coffee shop with great sandwiches. They make the best sandwiches in Brooklyn. 285 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I feel thankful for everything that has happened to me, including the bad experiences. These moments have shaped who I am and helped me understand my true self and my potential. While I have many regrets and wish I could have done some things differently if given a second chance, I am incredibly grateful for the people around me who have supported me through tough times. Their love, encouragement, and support have been invaluable, and I hope I never took it for granted.

Website: https://jurirhyu.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jurirhyu

Image Credits
all rights are reserved jurirhyu