BIOGRAPHY
Sung Ho Choi is a Korean American mixed media artist whose work delves into themes of cultural identity, immigration, and the Asian American experience. Born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1954, Choi completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Hongik University in 1980. He moved to the United States in 1981 and earned his Master of Fine Arts from the Pratt Institute in 1984. Since then, he has been living and working in New York City and Bergen County, New Jersey.
Choi's art is characterized by a fusion of painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media, reflecting his bicultural experiences. His works often incorporate everyday materials and found objects, creating visual narratives that explore the contrasts and complexities of being a minority within a majority culture. Notable projects include "American Dream" (1988-1992), where he used ballpoint pen on lottery tickets pasted on wood panel to comment on the elusive nature of the American dream for immigrants.
In 1990, Choi founded the SEORO Korean Cultural Network, a collective aimed at promoting Korean American artists. His work has been exhibited in solo exhibitions at institutions such as the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Queens Museum of Art, and the Kumho Museum of Art. In 1996, he was commissioned by Percent for Art to create an installation work, further cementing his role in the public art sphere.
One of his significant public artworks is "Quiltroad" (1999), a 17-foot-wide acrylic on canvas painting located in the U.S. Courthouse in Seattle, Washington. This piece reflects his interest in the journey of immigrants and the patchwork of cultures that constitute American society.
Through his multifaceted works, Sung Ho Choi offers profound insights into the immigrant experience, identity, and the blending of cultures, making significant contributions to contemporary art and the discourse on cultural integration.