Mental Image: Oh Youngjeong
Written By Karly Pierre
Photos courtesy of Oh Young-jeong
When Oh Youngjeong was 13 years old, she saw a movie about Vincent Van Gogh. It would be the reason she became an artist.
“[The movie] was so beautiful,”said Oh. “I remember it so clearly, and it still influences me today.”
That the notoriously unstable artist was the catalyst for her entry into the world of art is unsurprising. Oh has always had a fascination with the inner workings of the mind, an interest that runs in her family. Both her mother and sister have doctorates in psychology. The stark, discordant world she creates through her art, much like the jarring tones of experimental jazz, are evidence of a deep understanding of the subconscious.
“I usually read books on philosophy or psychology—especially psychological analysis and theory—before I begin creating,” said Oh. “Studying gives my artwork structure. I spend most of my time studying, and then I make my art very quickly, like a robot, because I’ve already made a story in my head.”
Oh, a Gwangju native, has traveled the world as a visual and performance artist. She has had numerous exhibitions across Korea, as well as in China, Japan, India and Germany.
“I was chosen to represent Korea in the Nippon Performance Art Festival in Japan,” said Oh. “It was a great honor because every year they only invite one person from each country, and somehow they found me. I performed in Tokyo, Nagano, Kyoto and Yokohama.”
In 2009, Oh developed and directed the Gwangju International Human Rights Performance Art Festival. She chose artists from around the world whose work she felt embodied social awareness.
“I’m a Gwangju citizen, and I feel human rights are a part of our identity,” said Oh. “I wanted the festival to present art with similar goals. I wanted artists who felt that we could make a better world with art.”
She recently completed a residency in Germany with the Mecklenberg Art Center at Pluschow Castle. She was given a grant along with three other international artists to live and work at the Art Center for three months. She admires the German art scene because it delves into the mind and behavior.
“For Germans, art isn’t just about outer beauty,” said Oh. “I feel that German art is really similar to my way of thinking. Germans have such a long history of psychology and philosophy that has influenced art. I love the European mentality and freedom of inner discovery… I think my art tells my personal story, just my thoughts at a certain time. But I feel these thoughts connect with every human and can be understood by everyone.”
Though Oh is happy with the path she has chosen, she admits that she would discourage her children from becoming artists.
“It is not easy being an artist anywhere, but that is especially true in Korea,” said Oh. “Korea is so fast-paced, and a successful life for a Korean is different from other cultures. In Korea, some still feel that artists just enjoy life, but don’t work hard and therefore are poor. It’s not a very positive image to be associated with…Artists don’t enjoy their artwork. Creating art requires pain and hurt. Art is for others to enjoy.”
Oh would ask a young aspiring Korean artist one question.
“Can you spend your whole life doing only art?” asked Oh. “If the answer is yes, then jump into it. Who knows the future?”
Currently, Oh is studying for a doctorate in art therapy. For Oh, art therapy is a uniquely effective way to reach patients suffering from mental illness.
“Many great artists had mental problems,” said Oh with a smile. “I feel that art is a great outlet for patients to express and understand themselves and work their way back to being normal…I knew a young artist who committed suicide, and I initially wanted to study art therapy as a way to help young artists. Young artists are very sensitive and have difficult lives. I hope to start an art foundation in the future to help support them mentally.”
With the help of Oh, maybe the world’s next Van Gogh will have all the great painter’s talent without the mental demons.