AARON SKUBBY, Editor-in-Chief—
A little over a year ago, Seyeong Hanlim ‘23 would have never considered herself an artist. But now, her solo exhibition titled “Afterimage” is leaving Denison’s Mulberry House to be displayed at galleries in Seoul, South Korea, and Chicago, Illinois.
Afterimage is a feminist exhibition of 34 performance videos, paintings, and sculptures that are based on the experience of women workers in male dominated fields.
Originally from Ansan, South Korea, Hanlim is combining her experiences at home and in the United States to illuminate the challenges faced by women workers. She explained that South Korea has a prominent antifeminist culture, which made it difficult to find galleries to host her work.
With a political science major, and minors in philosophy and studio art, Hanlim fell in love with art late in her Denison career, first discovering her passion during a sculpting class her junior year.
Suffering from burnout in regular academics, Hanlim was originally taking the sculpting class to fulfill general education requirements. But through the class, she found that art could be a medium to convey the social messages she is so passionate about in a form that goes beyond the pages of an essay.
While on display at a gallery in Korea, one of Hanlim’s previous artworks was vandalized – the only piece of feminist artwork on display in that gallery. But the experience inspired Hanlim to create a new work called “Breakable Existence” in her current gallery, a piece which she invites audiences to destroy or repair during exhibitions.
Before finding her calling as an artist, Hanlim has done a lot on Denison’s campus and in her life. She has published research, is an intern at the Consortium on Gender, Security, and Human rights, works several jobs, and much more.
“I’m just a generally overcommitted person,” she said. “When I get really motivated and passionate about a topic, I really can’t stop myself and I just keep on pushing myself until I’m content and satisfied with my work.
To say that Hanlim has an impressive intellectual track record would be an understatement. But it’s art that has brought Hanlim so much meaning in her final semesters at Denison.
“Art gives me a kind of legitimacy and support that I need for myself. It’s really helpful for my mental health. I’ve grown to love myself through art,” Hanlim said.
The work in her exhibitions are all based upon the experiences of dozens of women that Hanlim interviewed with support from the feminist non-profit organization Wise and Circle (WNC). There are sculptures, paintings, interactive pieces, and even a work created with participation from Denison students (including myself).
Hanlim hopes to use her art as a medium for making political statements. She draws inspiration from artists like Ai Weiwei, Doris Salcedo, and Yayoi Kusama.
The process of getting her work in galleries was not easy. While she has gotten several acceptances, Hanlim has a long spreadsheet of everywhere she has applied. She credits the help of professors Micaela Vivero, Chris Faur, and Shahid Khan for helping her accomplish what she has so far.
Prior to becoming an artist, Hanlim was interested in being a lawyer. Her interest in art has not replaced that desire – rather, she hopes to work in human rights law in the future, and also display those important messages through her art,
While Afterimage is departing Denison’s campus, you can still see Hanlim’s art and messages on her website: seyeonghanlim.com
