I explore theme surrounding my Korean background, identity, and peace to create works that are both paintings and sculptures, yet neither at the same time. I pour acrylic paint into casts and peel them like skin, rather than painting, forming them into handmade flowers. By doing this, the paint exists only as material. I am observing my own psychological and physical boundaries as an immigrant and reinterpret my experiences within my work. The floral works represent nature but also form a system of communication that help to make sense of disconnect and displacement between my home country and the United States, which was forced to be my home when I was younger. This sort of internal fracture between my identity and history directly translates to the practice and my own self-awareness within a broken space. I am consistently trying to piece together my identity while navigating an extremely influential environment.
About Kate Bae:
Kate Bae holds an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, both in painting. Bae has exhibited nationally and internationally including solo shows at the Sunroom Project Space in Wave Hill, Bronx, NY and the Deiglan Gallery in Akureyri, Iceland. She has received awards and grants from Betsy Meyer Foundation, Real Art Ways, MVP Chapter Lead Grant from Malikah Gender Justice Institute, Ora Lerman Trust, Creative Capital Professional Development Program and the NYFA Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program and has attended numerous residencies including Golden Foundation, the Studios at Mass MoCA, Trestle Gallery, the Wassaic Project, Chashama and Lower East Side Printshop Keyholder Residency.