[FEAT] SHINUK SUH

Jul 16, 2021

London-based contemporary artist, Shinuk Suh: Not one to claim nor front. No cosplay. And no thirsty clout chasing. Sincere talent and curiosity personified — both as an artist and as a philosopher. Suh’s work lays bare the atomic elements and structures of modern living. Caffeine frequently added. Regarding self portraits “1 & 2” of Shinuk above: 1 is from 2009 via his military service in Korea. 2 is from 2019 while he was attending the Slade School in London

 

You’re born in Seoul, your university studies began in Theology and you served two years of compulsory service in the Korean Army, as a military investigator. How have these myriad experiences helped differentiate your career in the arts?

As a contemporary artist, I believe it is important to visualize and publicize the subject I am working on in depth and with a new perspective. Also, I think experiences that are far from related to art are the most valuable assets for an artist. Maybe that's why the two special memories I've experienced are precious to me. In particular, I got to look at the structure of the society I live in more deeply and also with critical thought. In fact, it did not reflect my will to study theology and work as an investigator. So at that time I was very mentally challenged. But I wouldn't have been interested in contemporary art if I hadn't had that experience.

 

Title: Better luck next time: 2018, jumper, sweatpants, shoes, socks, wires, metal mesh, 76x158x95cm

 

After serving in the Army, you published “two fairytale books.” What’s the name of these books and what are they about?

Both books have been published as re-edits of classic literature for children. The first project I participated in as an illustrator was a series of books on ‘Greek Mythology’. I can't remember exactly how many books the series consists of, but I did the illustration of the terrain and maps described in each book. And the second is a children's book adaptation of 'Othello,' one of Shakespeare's tragedies. I worked exclusively on the illustration of the book and it was published over a half-year period. There were a lot of brutal and sensational scenes in Othello, so I had a lot of trouble working on it at the time.

 

 

After the Army, you moved to London and received an MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art. And you enjoyed First Class Honors while studying at Central Saint Martins. What were each of those academic experiences like?

The curriculum of art schools in England is very different from that of Korea. So I guess I was busy adjusting to it when I first started college in the UK. In art schools in the UK, doing group critiques and personal tutorials is everything, and the core of that education. The rest of the time I freely adjusted my schedule to create works, or to acquire specific skills that I needed. In a way, it gave me great freedom, but I was not used to it. Perhaps while studying for my BA, I spent most of my time understanding the British educational system, culture and contemporary art.

And during my MA, it was a time when I was able to fully devote myself to creating art. I tried various experiments during that time and I learned a lot from it. And it was an opportunity to develop my work in depth, through conversations with tutors and class mates. Perhaps, I was able to prepare for becoming a professional artist there.

 

Title: Sleep inertia: 2019, Silicone, steel shelf, plaster, plywood. Dimension varies with installation

 

Describe your work's “cartoonish imagination” — and how animated movies have served as a way for you to escape a certain kind of absurdity that we experience via modern living?

In reality, the cruel and tragic scenes in cartoons, which in life we would not find amusing, become a comic factor that induces audience laughter. Comedy in animation has a limited laugh allowed within it. However, if these same dark situations are seen in reality, it turns into a definite tragedy.

I embody tragic situations that can be seen in real life in my work. And I overlap "cartoonish imaging" to turn the situation into an exaggerated and unrealistic one, while giving comic elements. By directing both comedy and tragedy at the same time through my work, I present the narrow and ambiguous boundary between the two to audiences, asking questions about the essence of tragedy and comedy. “Cartoonish imagination” is a fiction that cannot occur in reality, and it becomes a device that excludes the moral emotions and ethical intuition of the audiences, and makes them instinctively aware of the ambiguous situation embodied in my work.

In addition, I depict the weak human figure who cannot escape from the absurdity of modern society, which is essentially tragic. Rather than telling a hopeful message that the essential problems of the society can be solved, I show, through my own petit bourgeois attitude, an avoidance of facing the absurd situations.

 

Title: Made in South Korea (Ideological State of Apparatuses): 2019, Silicone, plywood, timber, DC motor, motor control box, metal, inkjet print, duct tape, work gloves, clamp, clear acrylic sheet, foam, magnet, flour, colored pencil on paper 250x573x357cm

 

 

What are some of the animated works or films that immediately jump to mind as your go-to favorites?

I've been watching a lot of classic Japanese animation lately, but I like Akira the most. I've probably watched it more than 5 times so far. I know that the animation was produced at a time when Japan was at its most economically prosperous, and a considerable amount of capital and labour was invested. That's why its directing technique and drawing are so cool. The urban background and action scenes depicted in each scene are surprisingly attractive. If you have not seen this work, I recommend that you watch it as soon as possible.

 

Title: Man(u)fractured #2: 2020 Steel, DC motor, motor control box, silicone, plywood, concrete, 670x260x290cm

 

 

Favorite all-time Disney Character?

Donald Duck! I always admire his acting skills. Probably the best slapstick performer in the world, I can say. I like episodes of the period when the character was used for propaganda purposes, and I particularly enjoyed watching the short film called Der Fuehrer's Face which was released in 1943. It is a satirical representation of the confrontation during the Second World War, and Donald Duck's exaggerated slapstick acting and directing are very novel. I used the exaggerated techniques produced in this animation as reference several times in my work. And now that I think about it, the animation probably has scenes similar to Charlie Chaplin's silent film called Modern Times, and I recommend watching the two movies while comparing them.

 

 

Do you have a spirit animal or a superhero that you specially align with?

I like the main character in the movie called Jumper. I think it is a little more appropriate to say that the character is just a person with special abilities than a superhero. Actually, there is no other reason, but I really envy his ability. I have been always thinking of the character as very attractive. It is wonderful to be able to teleport freely around the world! But I don't support the character stealing money.

 

You have previously said that your military service made you grow sick of going to sleep early and waking up early. Do you still typically work most days in the studio from 3pm until dawn?

Yes, I actually hate waking up early in the morning, but I really prefer working at night. It seems that people's emotions become sensitive late at night. Maybe that is why I can concentrate well at that time. And also I am a person who cannot concentrate well when there is a sign of a person. So a less interrupted night time is perfect for me. But my cycle is different from other people, so I suffer from inconvenience. So I tried to change my habits a little, but I failed.

 

Title: The real is not only what can be reproduced, but that which is always already reproduced: 2020, Color television, steel, wood, glass bottle, cookie, water, ruler, scale, picture, 90x145x15cm, 4’18”

 

How many cups of coffee do you likely drink in a day? And how do you like your coffee prepared?

In fact, the amount of coffee I drink varies from time to time. I think I drink more than five cups of coffee a day when I have to concentrate every time I prepare for an exhibition. But I have a habit of not eating food but drinking coffee when I am busy. So people around me try to feed me on purpose. I've been trying to change it recently because I've noticed it's a really bad habit. But I usually drink about three cups of coffee.

I like all kinds of coffee, but I prefer fresh coffee. Luckily there is a coffee roastery next to my flat. So I can easily get fresh and delicious coffee beans. At home, I usually brew coffee with an espresso machine and drink Iced Americano.

 

Title: Hey, It is me!: 2021Steel, motor, controller box, petg, cigarette package, aluminum can, socks, digital print on aluminum, 62 x 215 x 73cm

 

I know that you have been working hard to develop your skills as a programmer. Is that something that you are still working on? And what are some of the new technologies that you have incorporated into your work or your process?

Lately I have been very interested in things related to 3D printing. So, step by step, I am trying to acquire programs and techniques related to it. Much of my recent work has been done using that technology. In particular, I'm concentrating on handling 3D printers, but it is not really easy. The machine is very sensitive and tends to break down easily. So I'm very stressed out, but I'm enjoying it. At the same time, I am studying 3D modeling and rendering. I have to deal with more software than I thought to be able to complete the work I want, so I am still working hard for it.

 

Title: Rendered image of ‘Hey, It is me!’

 

Can you recommend some music that you like to listen to while working?

I mainly do things that require physical labor. That is why, when I work, I prefer to listen to upbeat and fast-tempo songs. I especially like retro dance music. The songs I listen to the most while working these days are Dabeull's Messages from the Stars, and Mayer Hawthorne's Henny & Gingerale. I really recommend these two songs!

 

Are you a fan of any of the Sports Teams — either in Seoul or the UK? If so, favorite players?  

One of my favorite sports from time to time is baseball. My brother is a fan of a Seoul-based baseball team called Doosan Bears, and I watched baseball games with him a few times. Actually, my friend's younger brother was the main player for the team. So I cheered for that player, but after he quit baseball, I stopped cheering for anyone.