Interview with Korean-born artist Jiwon Rhie about her immigrant experience, how it influences her sculptures, and broader artistic practice in New York.
Jiwon Rhie is a multidisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work deals with ideas around boundaries, human relationships, cultural identities, and communication across installations, sculptures, and video. Exploring ideas through research and a project-based process, she visualizes personal and social experiences into art forms by capturing her sensitivity and a feeling of adaptation.
I was lucky enough to sit on the floor of Rhie’s Error Rage Chinatown Soup, which had a short run a couple of weeks ago. I was intrigued by the artist’s material sensibilities, apparent across stitched soft fabrics and laser-cut mirror acrylic.
“My work reflects the experience of adapting to the cultures dominating my surroundings. As an Asian woman who grew up in a collective culture, I am most comfortable masking behind the group, keeping myself low and in peace. I don’t like conflict. I don’t want trouble… I compare or use metaphors to deliver experiences. My works depict cultural hybridity, delicately delivered through a more universal language. A very subtle change of glances, atmosphere, and gestures feed my subject.” – Jiwon Rhie.
Clare Gemima: Firstly, Jiwon, congratulations on your recent solo show at Chinatown Soup, Error Rage. How was the run of the show, and how would you describe the body of work you exhibited?
Jiwon Rhie: Thank you, Clare! While preparing for my solo show, I felt a lot of pressure to ensure that my artworks were of high standard. However, the show turned out to be successful, with many visitors and positive feedback from the audience. As a result, I was able to build many valuable connections with curators, artists, and writers – yourself included, Clare – for which I am incredibly grateful. Thank you for inviting me to this interview! It truly means a lot to me. In Error Rage, I presented a series of metal, mirror, and fabric sculptures that reflect my experiences as an immigrant and woman living in New York City as a foreigner. The body of work was an exploration of the ‘self’ and how it’s constructed and defined by cultural and personal experiences. Through the use of various mediums, I created multiple layers of meaning and reference in my artwork, inviting the viewer to contemplate their own relationship with themselves and the world around them.
Clare Gemima: How does your immigration experience actively influence your artistic output?
Jiwon Rhie: My immigration journey has had a great impact on my artistic expression. When I lived in Korea before New York, I primarily created drawings and paintings featuring imaginary flowers, drawing inspiration from Korean culture. However, since moving to New York and immersing myself in a new environment and culture, my creative direction has shifted towards exploring more current, real-life experiences. Currently, I focus on themes such as identity, displacement, and personal history – all of which are directly related to the immigration experience. My art is a platform to express my personal struggles. Since moving to New York, I have become more versatile in my artistic approach, creating diverse forms of artwork that reflect my cultural and social experiences in New York.
Clare Gemima: Were any of the works in the show directly in reference to ideas around immigration?
Jiwon Rhie: All of the artwork created for my solo show addresses issues of cultural identity and displacement that may resonate with the experiences of immigrants. However, my Self-Identified series of bra sculptures is particularly relevant to the topic of immigration. These pieces are made from custom digitally printed fabrics that include photographic representations of significant moments in my life, such as my student ID cards, hair, and personal photographs. One specific piece within the bra sculpture series incorporates immigration paperwork that I received during my visa interview at the US embassy. The consul who interviewed me expressed suspicion towards my visa documentation and placed my application under review, leaving me uncertain about when the process would be complete. Eventually, I had to wait for eight months before being granted entry into the United States. Despite submitting authentic documents, my brief three-week visit to Korea turned into a long period of waiting and uncertainty. To express the difficulties and frustrations of this experience, I incorporated the immigration paperwork into my art as a means of communicating my personal struggles with the immigration process. By transforming this official document into an art material, I was able to reflect on my challenge as an immigrant more directly.
Clare Gemima: Does your artwork, in return, influence your immigration experience?
Jiwon Rhie: For me, creating art is a tool to gain a deeper understanding of myself, particularly in answering the questions of “who am I?” and “what defines me?” Through my art, I am able to express and process my immigration experiences, allowing me to confront my confusion and struggles in a meaningful way. Making art helps me explore and accept my identity as an immigrant. It allows me to think about and understand the challenges I face in a way that makes sense to me. By putting my feelings and thoughts into my art, I can turn my difficulties into something creative and meaningful.
Clare Gemima: What is the best way to connect to other female immigrant artists in New York City?
Jiwon Rhie: I am not fond of using the word “best” to describe a way to connect with other female immigrant artists in New York City, as there is no one definitive solution. However, I have discovered a few effective ways to connect with other female immigrant artists. The first way is through the NYFA Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program, which provides mentors for each artist and connections to other immigrant artists. This program has allowed me to establish connections with many other artists who face similar struggles. Another way is by participating in diverse residency programs, which provide art studios and relevant events to the participant artists. By participating in various residency programs in New York, I have been able to connect with other immigrant artists and exchange valuable information about the immigration process. Finally, actively engaging in artist communities is a great way to connect with similar individuals. As a visual artist, I create art and share it with the public. By actively participating in the art scene, I have found it easier to connect with others who share similar interests and experiences.
Clare Gemima: What has been the most valuable advice you have received during your time relocating to the United States of America?
Jiwon Rhie: I recently had a conversation with a friend that had a significant impact on my self-confidence as a foreigner who speaks English as a second language. We watched John Wick 4 together, and I expressed my frustration with how difficult it was for me to understand the actors’ dialogue, especially since some of them had foreign accents. I blamed my English listening skills. However, my friend, who is a native English speaker, told me that he also had trouble understanding the dialogue at first, and he even said that having a foreign accent is cool and unique. This was a discovery to me because I always thought of American English as the standard and didn’t realize that my accent could be seen as a style and a part of my uniqueness. This conversation was very valuable to me and helped increase my confidence.
Clare Gemima: How are New Women New Yorkers and their readership able to support your next artistic endeavor?
Jiwon Rhie: As an artist, I appreciate the opportunity to be featured in New Women New Yorkers. It is meaningful for me to share my work with a wider audience and connect with readers who may resonate with my experiences. This support encourages me to continue my art practice and pursue my artistic endeavors. Also, I have found the blog to be a valuable resource that provides interesting postings related to immigration and the experiences of immigrant women. As I continue to explore these themes in my work, I appreciate the opportunity to learn from the perspectives shared by the community at New Women New Yorkers.
