US artist exhibits in Seoul
Samantha Blumenfeld poses with her art at Mini Gallery in Seoul, Saturday. / Courtesy of John Redmond.
By John Redmond
New Jersey native Samantha Blumenfeld presents her third solo exhibition “Landscape” at Mini Print gallery in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul, until Jan. 6.
Blumenfeld’s work examines the artistic genre of landscape to explore internal narratives around self, trauma, growth and recovery.
Following a PTSD diagnosis, the artist found art journaling soothing.
“I started to make spontaneous paintings in the same manner as art journaling,” Blumenfeld said.
After meeting her artist husband Albert Che, the couple decided it would be easier to move to Korea.
Blumenfeld says Che played a huge role in her decision to pursue art.
The Korea Times was at the opening of her exhibition and spoke to Blumenfeld about her inspiration and aims for the project.
Q: What inspires your art?
A: For the longest time, it was only about process. I was much more concerned with the method than I was with any final product, and art-making and working as an artist felt more performative than anything.
At first, the artwork was bodily focused _ as at the time I was working through eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in therapy, which is viscerally focused _ and then slowly it became more surreal. I found I was able to articulate more complex emotions and sensations the more I worked in this manner, and art-making has become incredibly freeing for me.
Q: What inspires you as a person?
A: Strong women, despite violence and trauma they've faced, who have gone on to create positive change in their communities. I was even inspired to start an art therapy group for other women affected by trauma, to provide a safe place for us to share our stories and find healing together.
Q: What can people gain from this exhibition?
A: It’s been interesting to hear what viewers have had to say about my art. I made these paintings because there was something I couldn't articulate into words but wanted to express nonetheless. Listening to others articulate their thoughts from a different perspective has been very meaningful for me. So as far as what people can gain from this exhibition: whatever it was they were looking to find, a soothing space, a contemplative space, or the examination of their own relation to art or themselves.
The space is also a print studio and the couple runs regular classes and film screenings.
The next exhibition will be the printmaking-based Seongsu Print Exhibition, Jan. 13 to Feb. 10.
To get there, leave exit 3 of Seongsu Station and head toward the market. At the main intersection, turn right. Mini Print is on the second floor.
Visit facebook.com/miniprintseoul for more information.
Samantha Blumenfeld poses with her art at Mini Gallery in Seongsu on Saturday. Photo John Redmond.