Jeong Hur
Confession, 2021, Digital photography. photographed life-casted body parts, archival pigment prints
Jeong Hur is Korean artist working with lens-based media in New York. In his practice, through the lens, he questions the certainty of his presence and memory with his mental issues experience. His works have won multiple international photo awards, includes 3rd from IPA (International Photo Awards), Gold and 2nd from PX3 (The Prix de la photographie Paris), and First place winner from New York Center for Photographic Art. And he has continued exhibiting his images internationally, includes New York, Europe, and Korea.
Can you tell us a bit about the process of making your work?
My work is the byproduct of the process of finding myself. Everyone lives with their own scars, and they forget or overcome the cause of those scars in their own way. I try to overcome my pain by looking at myself, and by doing so, I can slowly learn more about what I am.
Photographs are the most direct method by which I can look at myself and my past. I am not the same person now that I was when I was photographed, but it is still me, so photographs are the best way I have of looking at myself objectively. I am looking at myself but also at the shape of something similar to me. Through this process, I can see and know myself a bit more.
Currently, I am reconstructing memories that are close to trauma. By looking at myself in the fragments of my memory, which are often conceptual or abstract, I am facing my traumatic memories deeply and in greater detail.
Your work has many layers, such as the text, holes that hands come through, and opaque shapes. Can you talk about the importance of this depth in your work?
I believe, 2021, Digital photography. photographed life-casted body parts, archival pigment prints
I believe that one's memory is rarely complete. Sometimes my memory is different from what others remember, or sometimes I remember things that never actually happened at all. I assume that this is related to the perception of time.
It is sometimes said that a person's life can be seen in their face. Other physical characteristics also reveal the times they have experienced. A character of memory is the same in this sense. In the stream of time, I have always been changing, and each change to my character adds a new layer to past memories. When I think back on past memories, they have became new memories.
I express a form of complete and incomplete memory through repeated or unclear images. Photographs go through a process from light to subject, from light to digital information, and from digital information to physical media, such as paper or screen. The subject from the first step has the same concept as that in the final product, but no one can anticipate how its appearance will change throughout the process. The character of memory about the past is the same, and so I emphasize the incompleteness of photography, reality, and memory by using multiple layers in a single image.
What are some references you draw upon in your work? Are there any themes in particular that you like to focus on when creating?
My biggest reference source is my dreams. They are affected by what I experience, and I dream a lot about my past, so there are many surreal images. Among dreams that are black-and-white or psychedelic, some scenes remain in my head for a long time. When I wake up, I write down notes to retain the details, then later on I reproduce the scenes and feelings in my work.
Bathroom Uproar, 2021, Digital photography. photographed life-casted body parts, archival pigment prints
Where are some of your favorite spaces that support contemporary art or design? Now that the art has an online presence has that changed?
I am happy to see more people's works online, especially with the rise of social media. In addition, opportunities to experience virtual exhibitions have increased vastly as a result of the pandemic. And though it's a great experience, when I actually see the work I've seen online, my appreciation may be different, either for better or worse. But I still believe that this experience of other artists' works online is a good starting point for people to cultivate greater interest in art overall.
I like to look through small galleries around the Lower East Side and Chinatown. The atmosphere they have and the feeling of the neighborhoods help create a more open and comfortable frame of mind in terms of art appreciation. And of course, there are so many interesting shows are going around there.
Prometheus #3, 2021, Digital photography. photographed life-casted body parts, archival pigment prints
Who are some of your favorite artists? Or who has been inspirational recently? Feel free to mention any artists from friends to blue chips or books about artists.
I recently rewatched a Japanese movie called "Memories of Matsuko," directed by Tetsuya Nakashima. I've never seen Nakashima's other movies, but the contrast between this movie's excessively pretty scenes and its downbeat content always provokes many thoughts in me.
Do you have any shows coming up? Anything else you would like to share?
Yes, I'm happy to take this opportunity to show you my work on Project Gallery V. Nothing has been confirmed at the moment, but we are planning to hold a small exhibition in Korea in the fall. This year, we are showing works little by little, not only in New York but also in Korea and Europe. Still, it would be nice if there were more exhibitions in real space.
I hope there will be more opportunities to talk about my work through Instagram and my website. Thank you.
Jeong Hur’s work is included in our show “Transcendental States” September 15th - October 15th, 2021. Visit his website or Instagram (@jeong.h.something) to see more of his work.