Helen Draves – Q1 Art Competition – Artist Portfolio Magazine

• Artist Portfolio Magazine – Q1 Art Competition
• Helen Draves – Bellerose Village, NY

I was born and raised in South Korea. I have lived and studied in New York for over 20 years. When I was child I was inspired by my father, who was an artist and art professor in South Korea.

My toys were crayons, pencils and paper. Creating something on a piece of clean white paper was a fascinating experience.

I went to Ewha Women’s University and obtained my BFA in 1993. After undergraduate in Seoul, Korea, I came to New York and I attended Pratt Institute for my MFA (1996).

I have a strong Korean cultural art expression that has been influenced by the American culture. If someone asked me about the specific differences between two different cultural forms, I would answer that it would be variety.

Every detail of diversity and variety of cultures and life are becoming the metaphor of my works.

Recently I lost an Aunt in my family, this has inspired me to a “Life & Death” theme. My work expresses the aging of life. The winkles on the old hand implies many metaphors.

In my works I try to transmit the depth of metaphor to the observers by using my own artistic language. I am very passionate artist and I thank God for my capability to express my message in various medium.