Art is a way to see the world from a different perspective, and Irene Gong, an international curator based in New York, believes that art “enriches our lives by expressing our shared humanity.” I couldn’t agree more. She recently curated an exhibition with landscape architect and visual artist Kejoo Park in New York. Gong also started in a different industry but has quickly made a name for herself in the art world. Stéphanie Jeanjean, an active art historian, curator, translator and educator associated with the Sotheby’s Institute and the Cooper Union in New York, noted, “Her understanding of space, history and works of art is extraordinary and she is truly talented.”
Gritdaily was impressed by her work and met with the Korean-born curator, whose goal is to continue curating Korean artists and making their work available to the world.
What qualities does a good curator have?
I believe that curating immersive and experiential shows, while providing an academic context, provokes thought in the audience and encourages them to engage deeply with the exhibition and the art.
How will you maintain your relationship with the Korean art world while living in New York?
I plan to not only curate Korean artists living abroad or near the city, but I would also love to collaborate with Korean artists living in Korea and present their exhibitions in New York City. If I can find the right space that perfectly fits the artists I met and visited in Korea, I would love to organize the exhibition immediately. It is fulfilling to contribute to the promotion of the art of my home culture and to grow together as we move in the world of contemporary art and communicate with living artists in real time. How exciting!
You started in the hospitality industry and then decided to focus on working with art. Can you tell me more about why and how?
I originally chose to study hospitality at New York University because I was interested in the cultural complexes in big cities. I also love food, art and wine, so I thought working in hospitality would be perfect for me. But after taking art classes in Korea and going through the whole process of painting, shipping, curating and promoting an exhibition, curating became my calling. I really loved it.
During the pandemic, I left New York and returned to Korea, where I decided to attend a painting course offered by Gana Atelier, a residency program. There I met the artist-in-residence Sarah Leemy wonderful mentor to this day who taught me everything from painting techniques in her studio to the Korean art market. Learning from her, I also enjoyed the opportunity to visit the artist residency once a week and talk to living artists about their work and practices.
As the classes progressed, I became eager to create my own exhibition and began looking for a space that could represent me. I finally found a small gallery in Seoul near Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean neighborhood with a lot of culture. After learning from Sara Lee for about a year and a half, I successfully curated my solo exhibition. Nature & TraditionThis experience led me to continue my art studies at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York.
You recently founded a company that helps artists produce and exhibit public artworks. Ambitious! How did that come about and what are your goals?
Yes! PPULI PROJECT. While studying at Sotheby’s Institute, I was introduced to site-specific art, public art, immersive art, experiential art, participatory art and situation art for the first time. I was immediately fascinated by how public art or participatory art installations can speak to large audiences. It is truly amazing when these works address current social, economic and political issues as they raise questions for a wider audience through the power of art.
How can the landscape for curators in New York change for the better compared to the Korean art world?
I would love to collaborate with curators from different countries to plan a cross-cultural or traveling exhibition, as it would showcase different cultures and places at each location. Alternatively, a joint exhibition in New York could open up new perspectives by incorporating insights from different cultures and traditions.
Why is art important to the world?
Art is crucial. It is a visual language through which one can communicate with others without having to speak the same language or culture. Its impact is so profound that good art allows everyone to understand the context immediately. One of my professors at SIA once said, “The exhibition should speak for itself,” and I completely agree. A well-curated exhibition conveys lessons that go beyond words, just like the artwork itself.
Furthermore, art enriches our lives by expressing our shared humanity. It serves as a cultural dialogue that reflects identity. Whether you look at artwork at home or attend exhibitions, you gain new perspectives and can critically engage with the life and experiences of each individual artist.
Art can also be a shared experience that connects people. Access to the richness of art and culture contributes to emotional stability and personal growth.
“Kejoo Park: Echoes in Time”, curated by Irene Gong, is currently open July 26 – August 28 at Space776, 37-39 Clinton St, 10002, NY, NY.
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Alexandra Israel is a staff writer at Grit Daily, a freelance arts writer and publicist. A museum lover since she was introduced to the portraits of Jean Dominique Ingres as a young child, she enjoys spending her free time in museums and seeking out off-the-beaten-path gallery exhibitions. She is a regular contributor to the arts publication Cultbytes. Always on the cutting edge, Alexandra has worked in PR for over seven years, primarily in book publishing and the art world. She has held positions at Penguin Book Group, Aperture Foundation, and Third Eye. Alexandra graduated from Bates College in 2010.
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