Crafting Innovations: Exploring Sculpture with 2021 Walter & Janet Sondheim Art Award Hae Won Sohn

Welcome to 'The Truth in This Art' hosted by Rob Lee, where we are honored to have Hae Won Sohn, a Queens, NY-based medium-centric sculptor, renowned for her innovative approach to sculpture and ceramics. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the College of Design at Kookmin University and her Master of Fine Arts degree at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Sohn's artistic practice revolves around utilizing studio-artifacts and de-/reconstruction techniques to breathe life into form and object-history. Through materials like porcelain clay, plaster, mineral oxide pigments, and found industrial metalware, she delves into the intricate systems and structure of casting and mold-making, resulting in stunning and unique multiples. As the winner of the 2021 Sondheim Artscape Prize and represented by Emmanuel Barbault in New York, Sohn's work has garnered significant recognition, with exhibitions spanning internationally and nationally, including esteemed venues such as The Walters Art Museum, Gray Contemporary, and Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art.

Within this edition:

• Discover the fascinating world of material-centric art as Hae Won Sohn takes us on a journey exploring the intricate relationship between materials and the creative process, unveiling the depth and significance behind her stunning sculptures.
• Join us as we delve into the realm of innovation with Hae Won Sohn, who fearlessly incorporates unconventional materials like plaster and aluminum foil, giving life to breathtaking sculptures that challenge traditional artistic boundaries.
• Prepare to be moved by the bodily and expressive qualities in Son's remarkable work, as she skillfully captures emotions and evokes faces within her sculptures, leaving viewers captivated and emotionally connected to her art.
• Tune in as Hae Won Sohn shares her profound admiration for Baltimore's raw and vibrant artistic community, discussing the city's potential for growth and recognition, and how it nurtures and inspires her artistic journey.
• Gain valuable insights as Son reflects on the challenges of showcasing her art online, offering a glimpse into the complexities faced by immigrant artists in the digital realm and the crucial role of public events in validating their status and artistry.

Join us on this artistic journey - don't miss out on an inspiring podcast episode with Hae Won Sohn. She describes her work as material-centric and focuses on building new relationships with materials. Son is currently exploring the imagery of her work and the separation between physicality and materiality. She discusses her process of using plaster and aluminum foil and how she lets the material dictate the final outcome of her sculptures. Son also reflects on her decision to pursue art and her journey from South Korea to the United States. She discusses the influence of her background in ceramics and her interest in the raw and organic qualities of the material. Son shares her thoughts on the differences between traditional and digital sculpture and the challenges of presenting her work online. She also discusses the memorable responses to her work, including the perception of her sculptures as bodily and expressive. Son concludes by reflecting on her experience in Baltimore and the potential of the city as a raw and vibrant artistic community.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hae Won Sohn's website

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The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). 

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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