ABSTRACT
At the age of 25, I came to the United States and started my new life as an international student, studying in multicultural New York City. Yet I realized that I am a Korean artist and art educator who hardly knows anything about the art and culture of Korea. This self-realization led me to look hard into the Korean cultural identity existing deep inside me. However, in my early years, I had negative feelings about foreign artists who focus on identity politics in art. I encountered many works by such artists in the exhibitions on view in SoHo and Chelsea. They seemed to use their cultural identities politically to draw viewers’ attention. I did not want my focus as an artist to be dictated by Korean culture just because I am Korean or to be based on Korean culture just so I could make a living as a foreigner in the United States. However, as I continued my studies to become a researcher and educator, my views changed greatly about the role of culture in art. This chapter highlights my personal 20-year journey to find out who I am, as an artist, art educator, researcher, and cultural explorer.
