KAPPAO is an artist  known for her unique expressions of humans and animals. Different things are evoked depending on the viewer, and this creates a unique relationship between the work and the viewer.

KAPPAO's work spans a variety of mediums, including ceramics, paintings, and three-dimensional objects. In this interview, we explore the ideas and themes behind these creations, accompanied by an excerpt from the artist's statement.

Relationships Reflected in the Art Work

Whitestone Gallery Seoul

-  I believe that you are characterized by your expression in a wide range of mediums such as ceramics, paintings, and installations, but please tell us about the themes that are consistent in the concept and production of your works.

KAPPAO: The keyword for the biggest task is relationships.

I'm expressing what the proper distance and temperature will be between me and the surrounding animal nature or myself. It's hard to say who the people with ambiguous expressions are in the midst of many relationships in the complex modern society, but they are ordinary people, me, or your face, living without doing this or that.

I would like to cheerfully talk about the various emotions that can arise from various relationships living now. A relationship is about living, and because living is a process that constantly moves within a relationship, exploring it is also a journey to understand the fact that you live. I'm exploring the journey of finding the coordinates of my seat in such a complex and dense network.

Whitestone Gallery Seoul

- Please let me know if there was any reason or incident that led you to the subject.

KAPPAO: As with all beginnings, it started with me. Studying in Italy, where I immersed myself in a different language and culture, became an opportunity to reflect on myself in a new light. It was a period of learning to communicate by piecing together simple words and non-verbal cues in a language I couldn’t fully grasp. Paradoxically, the limitations of language sharpened my observation of others' expressions and gestures, while the relational void created space for me to focus inward.

As a result, I naturally started working on the theme of relationships, and it's been continuing by expanding and contracting in its scope.

Whitestone Gallery Seoul

- Your artistic expressions span various mediums such as sculpture, painting, and three-dimensional works. Do you have specific criteria for selecting these methods?

KAPPAO: Rather than following a specific standard, I approach each material based on its unique expressive potential as an artist. I simply work with the medium that best suits what I wish to convey. For example, I use ceramics to express what cannot be conveyed through painting, and painting to address aspects that are difficult to realize with ceramics. This organic process of moving between mediums not only suits my artistic tendencies but also reflects my desire to break down fixed ideas or stereotypes, at least within my artistic world, about how things "should" be done.

I also often use materials that are common in daily life, such as branches, cotton, or scraps of fabric. I take great pleasure in discovering these everyday materials from a fresh perspective.

Discovering the Cosmos in the Little Things

Whitestone Gallery Seoul

-  When and how do you come up with ideas or inspiration for your work?

KAPPAO: Rather than receiving inspiration from special places, it often begins with observing everyday life. However, I make an effort to imagine and observe the ordinary from a slightly different perspective.

I believe that even in small and seemingly insignificant things, there is a universe, and that within the unseen, there may be beautiful and precious meanings. When you think this way, our daily lives themselves become a huge source of inspiration. As I immerse myself in this process, unexpected ideas arise, and my work begins.

Whitestone Gallery Seoul

-  For this exhibition “NO BOUNDARY” was there anything you paid special attention to or a message you strongly wanted to convey?

KAPPAO: As I experienced how the many lines I had drawn changed and blurred depending on perspective and position, I decided on the title for this exhibition. Through my artist's statement, I want to share a brief message:

"What we want to see the most is often invisible.

Perhaps it’s because we’re trying too hard.

Erasing lines in white and reshaping clay once again allows natural forms to emerge.

These forms may become paintings or transform into ceramics.

Without creating divisions or boundaries, I freely and randomly connect humans, animals, plants, and nature.

In the process, I find that the ends of these connections form a single continuous line, and I learn from the brush and the clay that, ultimately, there were no boundaries in the world to begin with."

It’s Alright Not to Look for Meaning in Everything

Whitestone Gallery Seoul

-  What kind of feelings or emotions would you like visitors to have when viewing your exhibition?

KAPPAO: I often think about what state feels the most natural and comfortable for me, and I hope that visitors to my exhibition can feel something similar. While art that conveys grand themes or dramatic movements can sometimes feel powerful, as an artist who focuses on the small moments of everyday life, I aim to offer viewers a sense of gentle comfort and joy.

There’s no need to force yourself to find a special meaning.

Simply let your gaze flow naturally over the works. If there’s a moment or place where you feel like pausing, I hope you can imagine your own story there and leave feeling just a little lighter.

-  Lastly, could you share your future plans or any areas you'd like to explore or challenge yourself in?

KAPPAO: Aside from exhibitions, I would like to create picture books. A good picture book, which doesn’t require walls or large spaces, is an art form that brings literature and illustrations together. In this sense, if I have the opportunity, I would love to take on this challenge.

KAPPAO's creations remind us of the relationships we share with others, from small everyday moments to memories of days gone by. The online exhibition offers an opportunity to experience KAPPAO's works. It is highly recommended to visit.

Online Exhibition: NO BOUNDARY