Hyemi Cho

Highline

My apartment’s windows look directly onto and are at the same level as the Highline. When I learned that the Highline would be open to the public I thought “ Oh no! I will have no privacy and millions of people from all over the world will be staring into my life, invading my privacy. I will have to keep my curtain closed all the time or be like an animal in a zoo!”

Then I imagined myself cautiously peeking through my curtain looking outside, seeking the sky and river I used to love to see. I thought, “I am a painter. Why don’t I paint the reality of life and put it out to the public.” In this way, I would (re)solve the restriction of my freedom and my frustration of this invasion of my privacy.

The window paintings have brought me, now an animal in a zoo, delightful interactions with people on the Highline. Everyday, I see people laughing at the paintings and photographing them. Sometimes, I actually peek out and wave my hand, the real life recreation of the painting. The surprise on their faces turns to excitement and they wave back, saying “hi” with their hands. I see that my paintings are a good surprise and make people smile and laugh.

I am extending the window paintings as much as possible along the Highline. There are now four window paintings sitting in windows along the Highline. Three more paintings are being created for three additional buildings.

Personal Story

I was born and raised in Japan as a Korean.
Because of the history between Japan and Korea, Koreans in Japan are discriminated against silently. In addition, the Korean culture of my parents’ generation gave men much more power than women.
I grew up under this culture of discrimination, where my mother was oppressed and couldn’t express what or act as she was and desired.
She was manipulated socially and domestically.
I speak my personal language in my paintings from the point of view of a socially and physically disadvantaged position. In my paintings the subject holds her inner strength and quietly yet challengingly raises her voice.

EDUCATION

2002 M.F.A Tisch School of Arts, New York University
1997 B.F.A San Francisco Art Institute, New Genre Department/Painting
1994 California College of Arts and Crafts

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2012
Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY

2008
Bergamo Arte Fiera, Mostra Mercato de Mocernae Contempora, Bergamo, Italy

2007
Dual Show, Aaleria Aus18, Via Ausonio, Aus 18 Milano Italy
Allarmi 3, Nuovo Contingente, Caserma de Cristoforis, Como, Italy

2006
Saving Graces, Group Exhibition, Riviera Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2005
Triennial, Group Exhibition, Riviera Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2004
Hyemin, Solo Exhibition, 9th Street Market, New York, NY
A project I wanted to finish and never finished, Group Exhibition, Riviera Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2003
Mural, Cafe Muse, Gifu City, Japan

1997
Honored Student Show, Solo Exhibition, Diego Rivera Gallery at San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA

GRANTS AND COMMISSIONS

2009 Urban Artist Initiative Fellowship
2004 The New York Foundation for the Arts
2003 Mural Commission, Gifu, Japan