We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Taekyung (tk) Suh. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Taekyung (TK) below.
Taekyung (TK), appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by finding inspiration in the mundane aspects of daily life. The weather, conversations with friends, or even discovering a new album on Spotify spark my imagination and make each day feel fresh. As a painter, I value these small moments, preserving them as seeds for ideas. I often sketch these thoughts on paper, which helps me personalize and better understand the subject.
I enjoy incorporating these everyday elements into my work. While they may seem ordinary to others, I believe an artist’s gift lies in seeing the beauty in the banal and transforming it into something special through a new perspective.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Taekyung (TK) Suh. I’m a painter originally from Seoul, South Korea, now based in Queens, NY.
My work focuses on oil painting inspired by personal experiences and emotions. I paint puzzling images as metaphors for feelings, weaving narratives that provoke a sense of absurdity and imagination. For me, painting is less about creating a fixed statement and more about engaging in a dialogue. I approach each canvas as a conversation, using improvisational brushstrokes, bold applications of color, scraping techniques, and even rotating the canvas as I work. These techniques allow the process itself to bear traces of emotion and spontaneity, resulting in works that feel open-ended and alive.
What makes special about my work is its emphasis on process and storytelling. My paintings invite viewers to interpret, imagine, and evolve in their own way. In this approach, I reject the idea of painting as a static medium by inviting stranger to join the conversation and work together.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are persistent curiosity, passion, and flexibility. My path into art hasn’t always been linear. After moving to Chicago for high school, I pursued a BFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Along the way, I returned to Korea to serve in the South Korean Navy for two years and later worked as a gallery curator in Seoul. These experiences shaped my understanding of art and life in unexpected ways.
For those starting their journey, I recommend keeping a sense of curiosity to explore new ideas and perspectives. Let passion guide you through challenges and embrace flexibility when life takes unexpected turns. These qualities will not only keep you inspired but also help you adapt and find your own unique path.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself to stay patient and persistent. During COVID, I experienced a challenging time while staying in South Korea. With limited exhibitions and opportunities, I doubted whether I could sustain a career as a painter. Despite those feelings, I kept painting, trusting that opportunities would eventually arise.
That persistence paid off in 2022 when I had a solo exhibition, Bad Paintings Forever, at CICA Museum. It was a pivotal moment for me—my first museum show and a chance to introduce the genre of ‘Bad’ painting, which I felt was unfamiliar in South Korea. The audience’s curiosity and engagement with my work not only validated my efforts but also reaffirmed my confidence to continue pursuing my path as an artist.
My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed is to stay committed to what you love. Even in moments of doubt, keep going. Trust that time and persistence will create opportunities when the moment is right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tksuh.com
- Instagram: tk_50h
Image Credits
Will Chen
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