By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
When Kwak Kyu-seob was five years old, he was diagnosed with autism. But now 17 years later, through the help of art therapy, Kwak will open his first show at Cafe Hibi, Hongdae, Friday.
Organized by non-profit organization Rawside, the exhibition showcases his artistic talent in drawings and storyboards he developed for an animated TV series, computer games and music compilations.
The organization has helped Kwak grow as an artist.
Since it was founded in 2008, Rawside is the first group dedicated to discovering and promoting Outsider Art and Able Art in Korea.
Claire Sanghi Ham, in charge of public relations and a volunteer for Rawside, said the group has organized art therapy and animation workshops at mental hospitals to help young artists.
She added that Kwak's is the first exhibition that solely focuses on works by an ``able artist'' in Korea. The term refers to someone who is capable of creating art despite having a disability.
Anthony Caropino-Corbett, an arts instructor at Konkuk University and a Rawside volunteer, has personally seen Kwak progress and use his work to communicate.
``When I first met Kyu-seob, he did have difficulty making eye contact and would put up invisible boundaries between himself and those around him. This began to change as he was encouraged by his family and Rawside to develop his artwork, to take his notes and write and turn them into images, sounds and movements,'' he said.
Corbett noticed how Kwak's personality has been transformed, as his reluctance to cooperate with others has been replaced with a willingness to co-produce works with other artists.
``His creative powers have enabled Kyu-seob to speak through the images and many other styles of his choosing and cross over boundaries he once set for himself. Kyu-seob readily speaks about his thoughts and intentions in order to best bring them to life,'' he said.
Kwak has always been interested in drawing and illustrations, filling notebooks with plans and designs for computer games, subways and streets, since he was in middle school.
Since working with Rawside, he has made colorful and bright illustrations filled with over 200 of his own characters, including Tulip and Kitty.
Corbett also noted how Kwak has produced his own designs for ramyeon cups, potted plants and other items. He has become adept at using computer programs to make graphics, animation, musical arrangements and games. He is currently developing his own animated TV series, and working with sound artist Kah Roo on a computer game design.
Rawside will be holding silent auctions on Kwak's drawings to raise funds for the organization, until the exhibition ends Feb. 20.
Friday's opening event is at 8 p.m., with free admission, drinks and snacks. Cafe Hibi is located next to the 1st Coffee Prince shop, near the Sanwoolim Theater in Hongdae. To get there, get off at Hongik University Station line 2, exit 4.