Professor Yun Shin of the art department has been selected by the A.I.R. Gallery in Brooklyn, New York to have her work exhibited. This is the second consecutive year that Shin’s work has been selected for exhibition in New York City. This abstract work of art, titled Filtering, is made from layers upon layers of tracing that create texture and the impression of an infinite space. Shin’s process of creating this piece was to repetitively trace her parents’ signatures into carbon paper until all the carbon was removed or the paper rejected the tracing. It is a long time commitment with a remarkable outcome.
The journey from an idea, to creating a piece, to an exhibition in a gallery is a laborious one—after applying to an exhibit.
“We often receive rejection letters,” Shin said.
Rejection letters come multiple times a month after applying, but there is something to keep working for: being accepted. Acceptance comes in the form of a congratulatory email, and makes all of Shin’s hard work rewarding.
“Towards the end of her making that single piece, it will be extremely painful mentally and physically,” art professor Phil Scorza said. “She’ll work four hours a day for seven days a week.”
The entire work took 11 months to complete; Shin stated she did all her work alone in silence so she could focus.
The idea of using the signatures originated from packing slips.
“My parents from South Korea often send me a package,” Shin said. “There’s always a signature and a printed copy of the packing slip—I got the idea from there.”
Her colleague Professor Emily Stokes noticed that Shin “has high standards,” yet “it is fun to see the intense labor that precedes each finished work.” Another reward is at the exhibition itself—meaningful connections are formed with gallery owners and contemporary artists which can lead to networking, and Shin is able to promote her art. Her art is very minimal, due to her technique of using humble material.
“I simplify my material,” Shin said. “Mainly I use a paper and pencil.”
Her work is also personal and this trait defines her art.
“Yun’s work gains even more meaning when you learn about the ideas behind it,” Stokes said.
When creating her work, Shin draws inspiration from her relationship with her family and objects that belong to them. Shin’s inspiration from her family also contributes to her goal of creating art. Not only does she want viewers to appreciate her work, but she wants to contain emotions and memories about her family in her art. Shin has accomplished all this and more in her work currently exhibited in Brooklyn. It is a phenomenal achievement for Shin’s art to be exhibited in New York City.
“In the art world to have a show in New York City—it’s like what you want to be when you grow up,” Scorza said.
