<Untitled>, 2023~2025

“The Moment the substance and shadow of memory collide, exploring the self through psychological reenactment.”

Colorful Pills of My Memories: Collision of Substance and Shadow

Memory, Trauma, Self-Portraiture, Staged Photography, The Gaze, Restoration

My work functions as a psychological reenactment of memory. Through staged self-portraits, I visualize the ephemeral space where personal trauma, illness, and recovery transform into a newfound identity. By employing dramatic lighting and ambiguous gestures, I capture the visceral collision between the "substance" of the self and its "shadow"—the internal psychological turmoil.

The starting point of my work is rooted in the profound anxiety of undergoing two thyroidectomy surgeries. Under the cold, clinical glare of the operating theater, I realized I was merely an "object" under the gaze of others. By standing in front of the lens rather than behind it, I transform myself from a passive patient into an active "agent" who defines my own existence. Photography has become my "clinical yet poetic eye," allowing me to take ownership of my body and identity.

In my creative process, I meticulously design "Constructed Realities" using cinematic lighting to bridge the gap between experience and memory.

‍ ‍The Language of Color: Specific hues like "pale blue" and "hospital green" are imprinted in my mind as the clinical coldness of surgery. Ironically, these colors are also my favorites, creating a duality where the same hue represents both trauma and comfort.

The Symbolic Bridge: The "pill" in my portraits represents more than treatment; it is a bridge between my biological body and my psychological identity.

This series, consisting of 15 cohesive images, serves as the "First Chapter" of my artistic universe. While it concludes an internal journey of recovery, it functions as a foundation for future exploration into the external world. My hope is that the audience feels a shift from isolation to restoration, recognizing that our scars are not things to hide, but essential elements that complete our true selves.