Kate Oh Trabulsi
September 19th, 2014
After painting for a number of years in oil on canvas as well as working with various materials in sculptures at Parsons as undergrad and grad student, I was fortunate enough to discover Minhwa, a traditional Korean painting style. My interest in traditional Korean painting grew as I was working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Having been a volunteer for many cultures’ masterworks at the MET, I started to appreciate my own unique cultural background as a Korean even more. I fell in love with Minhwa’s beauty in its subtle yet powerful lines and colors. With Minhwa techniques, I thrive to create my own works that establishes a tranquil mood, impression of timeless serenity and a beacon of hope for the viewers.
New York has been my home and constant inspiration for over 20 years. This city is made of such unique and diverse individuals. Having a multicultural family myself, I am reminded everyday how each individual is so different yet capable of creating a colorful and dynamic life here, united as a community. An individual might seem to be one way, a single ‘type’ of some sort, based on their appearance. However we are more than what we seem on the outside. In my series of paintings ‘Spirit, Unity and Enduring Hope’ I want the viewers to be surrounded by colorful flowers that hold diversity, dreams and hope of its own right and be reminded that they already hold their potentials within. Each one of my work is a prayer, honoring universal cosmic energy within each one of us, as well as celebrating their diversities.