Korean Traditions 2015

Written by SariaHArt

My childhood…Being born into a first generation Korean family.

We, “females” must be strong and never give up!!!

Here are some of the rules that we Koreans are taught at a very young age. I’m not talking about 3rd generation and beyond. I’m talking about 1st and 2nd generation.

Some Known Rules that are stamped into Korean Traditions.

We always had to respect Korean traditions.

Learning the Korean Language First and being well versed was mandatory.

The word NO is not in their vocabulary. (For example, my husband was called the “Yes Man” he was never able to say no, or speak his mind. His mind was already spoken for…Sucks butt, but he learned how to speak his mind and say no when we met. –his parents didn’t like me very much…. obviously. I get it..)

When an elder is speaking to you, you must put your head down. (rather in America, were taught to look at the person in the eye and understand them) And let me tell you that this was the most confusing shit to me in Kindergarten. The teacher would be speaking to me and I would stare at the ground out of respect, so she would get mad and say that it is rude. And then I get home, and my father is scolding me about something and I look at him straight in the eyes and his eyes light up with rage. As if he wants to tear my eyes apart. “But daddy, I learned in Kindergarten that we’re supposed to look at a person in the eye when they are speaking to you…” but I wasn’t able to talk back, so that’s what I said to myself. Let me tell you again. It confused the shit out of me.

As you might already know, I am an Artist. I paint portraits. Nothing like the scientifically mind of DaVinci or the intricate curascuro Caravaggio, but rather an emotional painter.

What a scary position I am in. I'm about to reveal snippets of my life. I mean, this is not normal for a Korean. Especially when were supposed to be "Submissive." And I assure you that I am NOT submissive. It's probably the worst quality I have with my family. I'm what they call the "black sheep." My brother, he's the CEO of a big company that graduated from USC. Yes, he's the golden child. The Wonder boy, the son that every Korean parent desire.

 

SariaHArt

I am a second generation Korean American female that struggled terribly during my childhood and to my adulthood. In my family, my life was nonexistent. I was resented, unloved, neglected, and treated like a ghost from my biological parents. My father was a manic depressed, alcoholic during my whole life. My mother is a “narcissistic mother” whom never wanted me and told me that her greatest regret in life was having to stop breastfeeding my brother because I was born.

At the age of 20, something static happened. My life changed and I ferociously pursued my life as an artist. I ecstatically announced my newfound passion to my family, and they brutally laughed and impertinently told me I was crazy. Shockingly, for the first time in my life, I numbed them out and passionately started learning all about the ARTS. Creativity was not in my vocabulary, as I never drew as a kid, nor did any arts and crafts.

Anxiously, I took my passion for painting and drawing and started enrolling in all the art classes at a community college. I dedicated myself in so many art classes and studied about art night and day. I judiciously isolated myself with art. I forcefully wanted all the knowledge about art, artists, history…etc that time passed so quickly, that within 2 years, I have taken so many classes that I received an AA in Drawing and Painting. At 2003, Cerritos Community College awarded me “Student of the Year Curricular Art Award.” For the first time in my life, I felt pride and I knew this was my calling, passion, and purpose for my life. Since, I couldn’t afford to transfer to a prestigious university, I applied to only one school that was close to where I lived, California State University of Fullerton. From there, I graduated with a Deans List and received my BFA in 2007.

After graduation, I wanted to get experience, and produce series of artwork and only focusing on the purpose of my artwork. Merrily, 2007 was a dream and seemed effortless with all the upcoming events. The Bill Lowe Gallery in Santa Monica, CA had called me and asked me if they can represent me as one of their Artists, so I happily signed with them. A month later, TARFEST Festival of Film, Music, and art in Los Angeles CA, chose one of my art pieces “Choices” to be represented in the Korean Culture Center. Also, in 2007, I was chosen for an Artist Residency for two months and was the youngest artist to exhibit in “The Red Arrow Gallery” in Joshua Tree with two other artists. I was publicized in Korea Times, Los Angeles and an exclusive article about me as an artist in the Hi Desert Star in Joshua Tree News. In the last months of 2007 and first month of 2008, I was granted $600 to stay at Kimmel Harding Nelson Center in Nebraska for another artist residency. With the works that I produced at the residency, I was granted a $1000 honorarium, with a two month solo exhibition in Omaha, Nebraska at the Art Loft of Florence Mill. In 2009 I went to Madison, Wisconsin for another Residency and produced more than twenty works during my stay. At 2010, from those artworks, I was fortunate to be asked to show in a two artist exhibition in Stockton, California at the “LH Horton Gallery.” My artwork was hung throughout the gallery for a full month. ***MOST IMPORTANTLY, I want everyone to understand that anyone can learn anything if they put their heart into it. Never give up and don’t let yourself or others tell you otherwise. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how busy you are, if you want to learn how to draw and paint, it is 100% possible. Just believe in yourself and pursue your passion.

http://www.SariaHArt.com
Previous

Sick and tired of being sick and tired! 2015
Next

Hi WORLD….. 2015