Sue Cho

Have you ever scrutinized a safety pin? Safety pins are not normally objects that attract people. They are simple forms with consistent color and texture. They are common and mass produced. Ironically, I found myself intrigued by these trivial pins. The more I studied their uniformity, the more they become a symbol for me and my perceived of loss of identity. I was similar to others; I had been influenced by friends, media, and other people, losing my uniqueness. I was scared to be different from others. I thought I was on the right track, following the mainstream. But after realizing my weakness; I questioned myself, “Who am I? What is my character? How am I unique?” This notion of loss of identity became my concept to explore through a series of works. Eventually, I found out that identity cannot completely disappear. It is just obscured or temporarily forgotten. My identity was concealed by my timidity and attempt to avoid my inner voice. One thing I also noticed was that recognizing my own unique identity was one of the hardest things to do. I now realize that our identity continues to evolve and change throughout our lives and that by creating authentic art, I have found one of the most powerful ways to preserve and foster my uniqueness.

 

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