Joy Baek
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Based in London, Glasgow and Seoul
The motivations driving my art practices come mostly from my personal life. My own
story plays an integral part in my practice. Behind this, there is my belief that art can
communicate integrity when an artist attempts to extend private matters into the public
realm. A well-known feminist saying, ‘the personal is political’, neatly summarises the
core concept of my practice.
My artwork has mainly addressed socio-cultural issues in Korean society by
embodying private and public interpretations of those issues. My recent pieces in
particular alludes to my thoughts upon the on-going invasions and breach of privacy
caused by hidden recordings; furthermore, how the consequences of such surveillance deprive women of their rights over their bodies. To the bigger extent, my aim is to record history of our times through my artworks as shedding light on the lives of minorities and socially excluded people.
My primary form in practice is performative sculpture which features the co-existence
of dynamic and static vibes. This method highlights my interest in the interconnection
between art and activism. That is, artworks, as a means of articulating problems in
society, may be too ambiguous to stimulate immediate change; however, I believe that
the virtue of using artworks to chart our lives allows for gaps and spaces we can fill
with actions, thoughts, and conversations.
Education
2016-2017
CCW Foundation course / Sculpture
2017-2020
Chelsea College of Arts / BA Fine art
2020-
Glasgow School of Art / MA Fine art
Exhibitions
Group
2018
“Spilt Milk”, 5th Base Gallery, London.
2019
“Self-sustainability”, Chelsea College of Arts, London.
“Animal Requiem”, Asylum & Maverick Projects, London.
“Am I as joyous as I should be?”, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, London.
“The Litter Exhibition”, SW1Y 6BU Mason’s Yard, London.
2020
“Mankind is a God in Ruin”, Candid Arts Trust, London.
"NOBUDAM 4th exhibition: Home", Online.
Others
2018-present
Joined an artist assembly named ‘82 Light-weight Artists’ (http://82lwa.creatorlink.net) and also formed a (separate) artist group, ‘Elephant and 2 Butts’.
2019
Working as a docent in the exhibition,
‘Negotiating Borders’ at Korean Cultural Centre, London.