Meet Sangwoo Yoo

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

Hi Sangwoo, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks is an inherent part of an artist’s life. The profession of an artist inherently involves financial instability and uncertainty about the success of one’s creations. My journey as an artist has been defined by taking risks, from choosing to pursue a career in the arts to challenging myself with new ideas and experiments.

During my master’s program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a professor asked me, “Why do you make art?” This question was profound and forced me to deeply reflect on my artistic purpose and the driving force behind my work.

I realized that my art is driven by the potential to address and change social issues. This realization led me to explore the role of art in social change and to experiment with materials and notions that might not be immediately accepted or understood by the public. For instance, in my project ‘Portrait of Loss,’ I used site-specific materials to reflect contemporary issues of waste and environmental impact. This was a significant challenge that deviated from traditional methods and themes, but it was a risk worth taking to align with my responsibility as an artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art focuses on reconnecting the dulled senses of contemporary individuals. While working at archaeological sites, mystical sensory experiences within the body of the earth captivated me, leading to a fascination with the objects that carry the weight of time. However, the social reality seemed oversaturated, marked by rapid and chaotic changes. This aggressive society can numb us and make us lose our cool-headedness, sparking my interest in a sensory language that emphasizes ‘feeling’ over ‘seeing.’

The project I am currently focusing on is “Portrait of Loss.” After the Christmas season, I collected discarded Christmas trees from the city and transformed them into pine-scented dust, creating an olfactory experience that evokes the feeling of loss. This work embraces ephemerality and ecological continuity, as the materials fade and return to nature over time. Professionally, my journey has been challenging. Developing sustainable materials required constant innovation and resilience. I have learned to embrace impermanence and view challenges as opportunities for growth. I hope my art becomes a catalyst for reconnection with the natural world and provides a ‘shelter’ where individuals can reconnect their body and mind.

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 recommend taking a walk around the lake in downtown Chicago. Start at Millennium Park, visit the Cloud Gate, and then head to the Lakefront Trail for skyline views and gentle waves. You can also pass by landmarks like Navy Pier and the Museum Campus. It’s a great way to enjoy the city’s culture and scenery.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been greatly influenced by the works of the philosopher Byung-Chul Han, particularly his books The Burnout Society and The scent of time. His writings always excite and provoke deep reflection within me.

Website: www.sangwooyoo.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sangwooyoo_/ 

Image Credits
Sangwoo Yoo