Yeji Moon

Lives and works in New York, NY, USA

Artist statement

What I want to express in my work is concern for and communication with those things are alienated. In the rapidly developing modern city, “old neighborhoods” are being alienated and are disappearing. For me, traditional neighborhoods bring back nostalgic memories from my childhood but also invites emotions of unfamiliarity and uneasiness due to my elongated absence. It’s regrettable that traditional neighborhoods and cities are disappearing due to industrialization and constant redevelopment. Part of me feels as if I’m losing a part of myself and my memories from childhood. However, another part of me is indifferent and ignores the changes taking place resulting in the loss of memories from the past. My goal is to utilize materials with little value, such as a newspaper, to form art pieces that holds intangible meaning and value as a whole. I strive to preserve my childhood memories through my artwork. I used newspapers to express the old neighborhood. I thought newspapers resembled its situation, since they too have become alienated by the development of other media, and are easily torn or transformed. I shaped the old neighborhood by pasting newspapers in layers to make them solid, and by tearing, repasting and twisting them. I wanted to express the hearts of the people who are eager to protect their village even if it is being torn and broken down. I hope viewers of my work will have the opportunity to look back at the things that are alienated or disappearing in...

Artwork