Jae Huang
Artist Statement:
My artwork seeks to convey a sense of comfort in emptiness. In contrast to society’s inclination toward liveliness and social stimulation, I explore the necessity of pause, a space where absence is not a void but a place of break. Rather than using addition to create marks, I use subtraction as a means of drawing attention to what is missing, making the absence just as significant as what remains.
The environments I create are often overwhelming, layered with colors and intensity. These elements reflect the constant noise of the world around us and the way we are bombarded with sound and color. Yet, within these spaces, I introduce moments of intentional emptiness that serve as visual breaks, allowing the viewer to take a breath. The lack of, or removal of, the subject acts as a form of relief and a silence within the noise.
Through my oil pastel work, the act of scratching away from the image I layered mirrors the act of peeling away layers. Just as removing elements from a piece can reveal new meaning, stripping away external distractions can lead to clarity and self-discovery. This negative space is not simply an absence but an open space, an opportunity for viewers to consider what has been removed, and to find meaning in the visual break.
Through my sculptural work, I portray the combination of ceramics and skeleton-like sculptures. This symbolizes how taking something away can create space for the new growth of what was once conformed to fit inside its outer shell. This is an insight into society and its conforming expectations.
At its core, my artwork explores the relationship between isolation and self-discovery. In a society that often fears emptiness and isolation, I aim to redefine it not as loneliness but as a necessary space for growth. In the deliberate act of subtraction, I seek to create moments of meditation, where the removal of excess allows for something deeper to emerge. In doing so, I offer a visual and emotional pause, a space where viewers can step away from the overwhelming and into the introspective.