Today we’d like to introduce you to Jihye Han.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jihye. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I decided to go to China to learn Chinese literature after graduating from high school in Korea. Here, I learned how to survive by myself and overcome obstacles such as ordering a hamburger in my limited Chinese. When I returned home to Korea (Busan), I brought back new ideas and perspectives about myself and my own culture. I was bitten by the “wanderlust” bug, so I left for the U.S in 2008 and decided to go to North Carolina for my BFA in Sculpture and Ceramics. I have so much to thank for because of Nikki Blair, the reason I chose to follow my heart and pursue ceramics full-time. She saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it myself. To this day, Nikki continues to bring out the best in me.
I’ve met so many unique, energetic people full of character and personality in the U.S. While I love Korea, the culture is built upon discipline and economic efficiency, so it is hard to break out of the norm. I am deeply drawn to the individuality here as well as the freedom to choose any path. Rather than being caught up in the what-if’s of the future like I had been in the past, I followed the example of people here who seem not to care about what others think of them in order to follow their dreams. Though this might seem like a trivial shift in perspective for me, it was an extreme transition.
After graduating from UNCG, I moved to Texas after I was accepted into the MFA ceramics program at UNT. I have so much gratitude that I can do what I love everyday.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My family moved around a lot since childhood because of my dad’s business. It was always devastating to say goodbye to friends, while at the same time exciting to meet diverse people from all over the world.
I always wanted to be an artist since I was a kid, but my dad pushed me to study hard for a stable, high-paying job. I know he wanted the best for my future, but I longed for something different, to be independent and choose the direction of my life instead of following the wishes of others. From the beginning, it was not easy. Over time, I’ve learned to adapt to new circumstances with a positive mindset. I’ve realized that I am happiest when I am working with clay and creating something with my hands.
Please tell us about your work.
Using clay and found materials, I explore aesthetic notions and create abstract narratives within the context of connection and separation through sculptural installations. I use symbolism derived from aspects of my identities, a result of my experience in diverse places, to analyze the duality between the invisible/intangible and physical/tangible spatial relationships. My work draws from personal experiences and my Korean heritage; I use material processes to investigate distinct facets of perception in order to broaden the emotional, physical and cultural understandings of the human experience.
Currently, I am working toward achieving an ambition I’ve held for some time. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to create an experimental public art project in Fort Worth Community Art Center for an 8-12 months exhibition. It is not only a huge sculpture, it’s a meaningful, representative of my Korean history, my culture and my identity. Interaction is central to experiencing the piece. The viewer can touch, feel, and hear to discover a variety of feelings and emotions.
I am excited to show my work with Naomi Peterson (who is also a second year UNT ceramics grad.) at the UNT Union titled “Breathing Space”. The show will run from April 27 to May 8 and the closing reception will be from 5-7 pm on Thursday, May 7.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think accumulating a variety of experiences while you are still young, helps you in whatever you choose to do later in your life. I’ve learned so many things through a variety of experiences that I couldn’t have learned from books or the classroom alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: jihyehanart.com
- Email: hjhalice@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/hjhalice
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