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

Hi Paul, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?

I left Korea and spent nearly 20 years in Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, Argentina and the USA. I returned to Korea for military service and spent four years there before moving to New York. I spent 14 years in Korea, followed by another four years as an adult. I spent half of my life in Korea and the other half abroad. After leaving Korea and living as an expat, I learned a lot from different places in the world, but ironically, my childhood memories of Korea have served as the motif and inspiration for my recent work.
I’ve had one question for the last five years. ‘How do I make a sculpture from photographs?’ That question has been present in my daily life for some time, so whenever I travel to a new location or see or experience something new, I ask myself how I can apply it to my work. The majority of the problems associated with this question were solved on a subway platform rather than in a museum, gallery, or natural setting. While waiting for the subway to and from work, I frequently recalled childhood memories. One day, I wondered how an artist could create a work without being stressed. A child is not stressed because everything is new to them and enjoyable at this tender age. Then I remembered many of the games and plays I used to do as a child. Origami involves folding square paper into various shapes. Then I remembered cutting and sewing fabric alongside my grandmother, who was a traditional Korean Hanbok maker. Paper and fabric are flat surfaces. When you fold the paper, cut, and sew the fabric, the flat surface transforms into a sculpture. So I began folding, cutting, and sewing photographs into sculptural forms. My daily life and play as a child were the keys to the door I wished to open. After that, I began to reflect on my childhood in Korea and my identity as a Korean, and I began researching Korean culture, which led me to make ceramic moon jars.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My work is an analog black-and-white photograph, not a digital one, and a three-dimensional sculpture, not a two-dimensional photograph. All photographs taken in recent years begin with a film camera and are printed in a darkroom. I have human compassion for things made without computers and digital devices. The photographs created in this manner do not end up as photographs but as materials for sculpture. Photographs become a material for art, rather than the finished product that hangs in a frame on the wall. In an age when everyone takes photos instantly, being an analog photographer gives me a reason to continue. Artists should not be obsessed with a single material, but some believe that tradition is necessary in modern society.
More than ten years ago, I attempted to quit photography. While on leave from college, I wanted to pursue a different path, but I couldn’t give up. My desire to express myself was too strong to pursue that other path. Since then, all I’ve had is photography. I focused on creating new works. Even though no one was particularly interested in my work, I felt compelled to continue. Of course, such concerns and fears exist even today. As a result, small opportunities arose, followed by larger ones.
Some artists gain exposure fast but some gain in later years, and later does not mean that it is late. After realizing this, I think that art should not be a means but a solution to my desire for expression. I hope that my creations made with my eyes and hands will become my cry to the world and reach someone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I won’t be able to spend the entire week with my friend because of my day job, but I’m confident I’ll be able to spend a full day. First, I would take them to my favorite museum, the Whitney, to see the great contemporary works for a while. As an artist, it is critical that I introduce and educate my friends about contemporary art. I enjoy good food and drinks, and one of my favorite places is the Chelsea Market, which is near Whitney. There is a wide variety of food vendors. I would invite them to start with some fresh oysters and some nice white wine, then move on to another vendor, Los Tacos No.1, which serves some of the best tacos in the city. If that isn’t enough, I would finish our meal at Very Fresh Noodles, which specializes in Chinese hand-pulled noodles. This used to be my go-to lunch spot, and it always made my day. It is essential to drink coffee or tea after a good meal. Another favorite is Te Company in Greenwich Village, which is well-known for its Taiwanese tea selection and the delicious pineapple linzer cookie. After tea, I take them to my favorite Galician restaurant, Tomiño Taberna Gallega, for dinner. Their tapas and wine selection always entice me to eat and drink until I am exhausted. Great food with great friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that come to mind. One thing I learned in New York is that no one can live alone. We all rely on one another to survive and grow as humans, and I owe it to others to help them in the same way that others have helped me. The world revolves around, and this is how it works. To pick just one person, I’d have to go with Jungjin Lee, a Korean photographer who has been a long-time supporter of mine. I learned so much as an artist while working with her, and she made me feel right at home in New York. I’m grateful to know her and inspired by her work.

Website: paulrho.com

Instagram: paulrho

Image Credits
personal photo credit: Ben Salesse rest of photo credit are courtesy of artist

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