Interview with Sophia Hyun
Sophia Hyun is an international abstract artist based in the United States. Her gestural and color-field styles have been influenced by the many cultures she has explored. Artist Sophia loves to travel the world and be exposed to new places in order to open her mind to a deeper understanding of humanity and nature. She has a deep fascination with the multifaceted quality of the human spiritual experience and she loves to express her passion for this phenomenon through her art.
As an artist, Sophia has developed an affinity for color, texture, and composition. Sophia's artistic technique involves the harmonious integration of forms, layers, and various other materials which coalesce to create a beautiful sense of movement within an atmosphere of joy.
Sophia holds a B.A. degree from UCLA and has extensive professional backgrounds in the Fashion and Interior Design industries.
How would you describe yourself and your artwork?
I see myself as an artist who is constantly observing, experimenting, learning, creating, and evolving through all of my various experiences during the creative journey that my life has become. As an abstract expressionist, I love to portray uplifting thoughts and emotions in each of my many colourful art pieces.
How do you go about beginning a new piece? Do you have an idea already in mind, or do you start working with materials or sketches to find the departure point?
Whenever I’m feeling creatively inspired by meditation, nature, or travel, I think about the title that I would give to a new painting. This is the beginning of a unique emotional narrative, felt in the moment, which leads to the expression of my artistic ideas with paint on canvas.
When do you think your most prolific time of day or week is?
I usually feel the most creative early in the morning, after spending time in meditation and prayer.
What was a barrier that you as an artist overcame? What enabled you to develop your work as an artist and integrate it into your life?
Pandemic became a big barrier for my artistic life in 2020. Not being able to exhibit my works in public places in person and not having the connection with other artists I had lost a sense of community. The international travel ban for US citizens in several countries also made it worst because I couldn’t travel. It was a very discouraging time because I had cancelled and postponed International Exhibitions as well. A total failure of plans planned years before. However; one thing that enabled me to develop my work as an artist in this time was to think about what's most important in life and count the blessings and be grateful for those.
Did you have an idea of what you wanted to create right from the beginning of your artistic career?
Yes. When I decided to become a purpose-driven artist, I planned to create works that will evoke contemplative experiences involving positive abstract emotions.
What is the meaning or creative inspiration for your work? We’re curious about the narrative or story in what you are producing.
My artwork is inspired by colors, nature, meditation, music, architecture, and travel. I also feel inspired by closely observing daily events that create emotional narratives for my paintings. I believe that colors are powerful media that create a bridge across the various energies, emotions, and rhythms that affect human moods, and I make use of this synergy to express positive abstract emotions in my artworks. Through my work, I aim to evoke a beautiful, contemplative experience of emotions being felt in the moment.
Besides your artworks, are there any other things in life that your voice as an artist may consider vital or valuable? What makes you joyful and creative, in other words.
My faith ignites my work and I am learning to choose to be joyful, magnifying what’s most important in life and count the blessings and be grateful for those.
Are there any exhibitions or places where people can see these beautiful creations in person soon? Anything on the horizon?
Yes! dates and venues will be announced shortly on my website and Instagram. These exhibitions will be held in the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Spain.
Website: https://www.sophiahyunart.com
