Soo Hong
“I am constantly questioning cultural identity because of my nomadic life. Instead of questioning what is correct or incorrect, my art freed me from strictly one identity with a certain angle. I have multiple identities that are constantly changing. Because of this, my perception of the world is open for chances and surprises. These new possibilities come together in my art in the form of play. Play is an essential need in all stages of life; to see without judgement and prod the soul to grow. My subjects are everything from personal experiences to perceptions of reality. I often work in a series on themes, playing with these subjects and translating them into abstract visual images. When I paint, I feel alive, lucky and happy.”
Soo is a Bellevue, WA – based artist, born in Seoul, Korea. She moved constantly and has been cast into unfamiliar cultural environments by living in five different countries. Not deeply rooted in a particular country or culture, she longed for her identity. To find her true voice, Hong went to London and studied visual communication at Central Saint Martins College of Arts after studying furniture design in Korea.
Fashioning a dreamlike atmosphere, her painting has developed from her illustration style. Her work has shifted towards abstract paintings using vibrant colors, mark-making, and automatic techniques. Her work has been shown in galleries, museums, and fairs in seven countries. She has been awarded and received grants from D&AD (London), GAP (Seattle) and Bellevue Arts Program (Bellevue). Currently, she is on the Washington State Public Artist Roster and the Shorelake Artist Roster.
Phenomena, 2020
Acrylic, and paper on wood panel
10” x 10”
$400
Still a Student Driver, 2020
Acrylic, oil stick and paper on wood panel
10” x 10”
$400
I Charged Your Phone for You Last Night, 2019
Acrylic, oil stick and paper on canvas
29” x 24”
$1,300
Electric Teenagers, 2020
Watercolor, acrylic and color pencil on paper
14” x 11”
$300
Memories of Future, 2020
Watercolor, acrylic and color pencil on paper
14” x 11”
$300
VR Hopscotch, 2019
Watercolor, color pencil and acrylic on paper
16 ½” x 11.7”
$300
Orange Cube, 2019
Watercolor, oil pastel on paper
16 ½” x 11.7”
$300
The Fingertip Gestures, 2021
Watercolor, chalk and oil stick on paper
24” x 18”
$600
Perplexity, 2021
Watercolor, chalk, oil pastel, color pencil and paper
24” x 18”
$600