ALEXA EUNJI LI
About my work
Art is a powerful tool for exploring the complexities of the human psyche. I believe that engaging in the creative process can act as a means of self-discovery and healing, resulting in profound emotional and spiritual fulfillment.
The complexity of this journey is reflected in every piece I create. I am deeply interested in how the act of making art can evoke a range of emotions, from joy to introspection. The sensory engagement with materials, color, and form can encourage inner dialogue, allowing individuals to confront their thoughts and feelings in a safe and expressive way.
Through my work, I strive to capture moments of connection and catharsis. I want to remind viewers that the creative process can be a sanctuary and a space to explore the inner world without fear or restraint. Each piece is an invitation to engage, reflect, and find satisfaction in the act of creation itself.
I believe that when we can fully immerse ourselves in an artistic experience, we can not only create, but also heal, grow, and find meaning. My work is a celebration of this journey, a testament to joy and psychological release.
Working process
I am an artist who dreams of capturing emotion by turning fragments of memory into images. In my work, I explore the idea that true beauty lies not in perfection, but in the irregularities and imperfections that make us human. Every piece I create is a meditation on fragile emotions, the subtle distortions that evoke imperfection, and the anxiety that comes with it. They are visual metaphors for the unpredictable nature of life, where beauty is revealed in cracks and fragility becomes strength.
I spend a lot of time working on the Basework :This is the process of organizing and quieting the various memories and emotions that come to mind before you start working, which is like clearing your mind. I sit in front of a blank canvas and meditate, adding paper one by one. The papers are glued together with rosin and hideglue. As if emptying my mind, I layer the papers, emptying them of emotions, usually ending with a single color.
Creating objects :This working is done separately, regardless of the order of the tasks. The main material for collage work is handmade paper. It is made of very thin paper or fabric and is dyed or colored with various materials. Materials such as colored powders are used between layers of paper to create color and texture. Thin paper and colored materials are layered together, tearing and re-layering the paper until it is the right thickness. This repetitive process of wetting and drying creates a collage of rich textures and colors. It's a process of releasing the emotions that have been building up inside of you into color and richness.
Working with collage : This final step is instinctive and intuitive . The process of pulling together strands of thoughts and memories to reconstruct emotions and transfer them to the canvas. I express the hope, sadness, and joy I want to draw from my emotional memory. I tear, glue, and repeat until the canvas is full. The objects are glued together with a glue made from a mixture of wood ash, which symbolizes death. Finally, finish with urushi lacquer to symbolize eternity.
My work is a tribute to the full range of human experience, messy and unfinished. It is in the physical and emotional wounds that we can discover the true essence of ourselves.
My dream is to remind viewers through my work that imperfection is not something to hide, but rather something to cherish. I create my work in the hope that we can all reflect on the richness found in imperfection.