Kai Oh

November 5, 2024

Kai Oh (b. 1992, Seoul, Korea) is a visual artist based in New York, NY. She received her MFA from Columbia University’s School of the Arts and holds dual Bachelor’s degrees from Seoul National University and the Academy of Fine Arts, Nuremberg. Her work has been exhibited at the Industrial Bank of Korea, Seoul; Cylinder, Seoul; BBK Künstlerhaus München, Germany; Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Busan; Rainrain Gallery, New York; Doosan Gallery, Seoul; Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul; and Foam Amsterdam, Netherlands, among others.

Can you tell us about your practice?

I primarily work with photography and am highly interested in pushing the boundaries of this medium, especially through digital images. I explore how photography intersects with physical materials and spatial elements, such as walls and floors, experimenting with surfaces so that the work slips away from fixed categories and embraces a more fluid quality.

Can you tell us a little about your approach to photography as a medium in your work? How do you go about capturing, and later selecting, images to work with?

I usually capture images with my iPhone because it’s quick and convenient, but I’m also fascinated by how the optical settings of this device significantly influence how we consume images today. Whether it’s a familiar neighborhood, a new area, a home space, or a travel destination, I wander around capturing elements often considered the overlooked remnants of the city. After collecting the photos, I bring them onto my computer, select a primary image to work with, and then choose additional images to combine, often improvising. In the editing process, I focus primarily on how the digital nature of the image can transform it into something more flexible and less fixed.

Your work takes on a unique sculptural quality in both how you physically manipulate the surface and how you often present your images in a 3-D space. What do you think about the physical aspects of your work?

I am deeply interested in the materiality of photography and in presenting images in a tactile and immersive way. To introduce a sculptural element, I invent support systems or frames and consider how the image interacts with space and surface. By using materials like fabric, which is more flexible and foldable than paper, I aim for the work to take on a more dynamic and sculptural presence, or sometimes emphasize more direct emotional expression and engagement by layering with painting.

Can you tell us about how you think about materiality in your practice? How did you arrive at printing your photographs on cotton silk?

Materiality is an essential part of my work. I have a strong interest in alternatives that deviate from conventional standards, and this is reflected in my choice of printing surfaces. Paper felt limiting and rigid, while fabric like cotton silk allows for more physical and conceptual flexibility. The silk cotton I primarily use is thin and semi-transparent, allowing for a different color and texture expression compared to paper, depending on the angle of view. I’m fascinated by this visual effect.

Having lived in Asia, Europe, and now the US, how has location played a role in your work?

Living in regions like Korea, Germany, and the U.S. has given me the chance to experience firsthand how concepts like freedom, diversity, and identity are not universally fixed but are shaped by different cultural contexts and environments. In the U.S., self-expression and freedom are usually regarded as virtues, while in Germany, environmental and basic rights protection are more common values, and in Korea, personal achievement and security are often considered primary. Experiencing these differences directly, rather than simply understanding them through data or documentation, has given me valuable opportunities to explore values beyond my identity as a Korean. This experience has greatly influenced both my personal life and my work. Rather than emphasizing my roots or personal background, I prioritize an open approach, observing phenomena with flexibility regardless of where I am.

What has been inspiring you? What are you investigating these days?

I have usually focused on urban nature and often overlooked elements, but recently, I have felt a need or desire to incorporate personal narratives and address social themes more directly in my work. Although this may not be immediately apparent, I often approach “absurdity” as a fundamental perspective, and the complexity of identity also serves as a major source of inspiration.

Recently, I have been shifting my focus from the neutral symbols of urban nature and natural elements— which I had used as a way to step outside human society’s complexities—to more directly addressing social issues. My current project, Will You Marry Me? (working title), explores the persistent sexualization of Asian women’s bodies by collaging images of my own body. I am particularly interested in how women’s bodies are perceived within and beyond Korean society.

Kai Oh

You may also like