Wonjung ChoiㅣRoots II “Where are you from?

 

 

Who are you as an individual and artist?

I would like to present myself in a manner that is slightly different from the typical introduction to my work. My DNA test results indicate that I am a member of the Homo sapiens species. 92% of my progenitors originate from Northeast Asia, while 7% migrated from the South China Sea region. As a result, I am genetically almost 100% Asian. However, I am currently residing in Virginia, located in the southeastern region of the United States.

 

What artworks are you showcasing in this exhibition?

My work, Roots II is an installation piece from the research-based project ‘Where Are You From?’ I have showcased this piece in numerous invitational exhibitions. Furthermore, it received the esteemed Trawick Award for contemporary art. It has been reconstructed to accommodate the venue for this special exhibition.

 

 

Wonjung Choi, Roots “Where are you from?”, 30 pieces of 3D printed sculptures, mixed media, 412 x 427 x 280cm, 2021

 

 

What message or experience do you aim to convey through your exhibition piece?

“Where are you from?” was one of the most frequently asked queries I encountered while living abroad. This question often implies, “You are a stranger.” Humans have consistently distinguished between insiders and strangers to safeguard their communities since primordial times. The urge to establish boundaries is a fundamental human trait. Despite this, migration and movement have enabled humanity to advance and evolve. Roots II is a piece that encapsulates my experience of living as an artist and an outsider for over two decades in a foreign country. The root forms conceal 30 primordial sculptures, including the “Venus of Willendorf,” symbolizing a composite cultural identity.

 

What makes your artwork unique?

This piece is an answer to the question, “Where are you from?” I endeavored to visually portray the universal and shared cultural development of humanity, as well as the beauty of diversity, following extensive research and a significant amount of labor-intensive effort.

 

 

Wonjung Choi, Roots II “Where are you from?”, 30 Pieces of 3D printed sculptures, mixed media, 380 x 375 x 265 cm, 2024