Hoijin Jung: Play with Fire
September 28, 2024 - February 16, 2025
McDonald Gallery
Influenced by a culture that values harmony with nature, Hoijin Jung creates work inspired by the circle of life. Her relief prints and paintings reflect her anxiety over how human-centered culture has suppressed Earth's inhabitants. In this exhibition, she uses fire to symbolize both wisdom as well as the unforeseen limits of human progress.
The drawing featuring a rabbit, cabbage, and tree represents interconnected life forms that transform into one another, embodying the cyclical nature of ecosystems. These relationships are the central theme in Jung's work. However, as environmental crises and rapid civilization changes intensify, Jung's concern grows for human convenience-driven lifestyles that threaten the Earth's ecosystem. The anthropomorphized rabbit, cabbage, and tree illustrate the disconnect, while fire is the ironic limit of human ability. Are we unaware of our situation? Or perhaps we are turning a blind eye, enjoying the beauty and convenience of fire while ignoring its destructive nature.
Jung earned her MFA in Printmaking and Painting from Purdue University and her MFA and BFA in Western Painting from Hongik University, Seoul.
Oblivion
Acrylic on Canvas, Charcoal | 2024
Depicted our ignorance, responsibilities, and consequences for the Earth.
Featured Work
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Leaving Eden
Relief on Sintra Block | 2024
The image that originated from the idea that we might be mistaken in thinking we can easily leave Earth.
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Pentecost
Relief on Sintra Block | 2024
Even if the Pentecost happens today, we will not consider it a sacred matter but will only regard it as something fun.
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Under the Burning Pods
Relief on Sintra Block | 2024
The image created by the concern that, even though everything is on fire, many of us would pursue a human-centered culture.
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Inside in a Whale
Relief on Sintra Block | 2024
Inspired by incidents where wildlife is harmed or killed by human activities.
