Though the words “house” and “home” are often used interchangeably, it makes sense to differentiate between the two concepts. The fact is that a house, apartment, or other structure is relatively stable. On the other hand, a home is abstract and ever fluctuating because it lives in a mind. Home can be any number of spaces, and can belong to any number of people; no deed or lease is needed. One’s relationship to home may also be complicated. Pleasant memories mix with unfortunate or bittersweet ones, because home is not one flavor. Rather, it is a full medley of tastes. The notion of home emphasizes much more than the notion of a house because of its psychological significance to individuals and its cultural meaning. While to live in a house is to occupy, to live in a home is to dwell.
Over the course of my life, I have lived in 12 spaces, but some felt more like home than others. While the world outside might be unstable and out of my control, I can work to keep a sense of homeostasis (or solidity) within my walls. The abstract drawings and paintings in the House series are my reflections on each of these spaces, spanning from Korea to the United States. By happenstance or preference, the residences that felt like home were all a one-family house with a small yard. When I lived in apartments and dormitories, I felt unanchored.
Through the House and Home exhibit, I look at how I feel about my home and how I shape the house to live. “House and Home”, it is more than simply a shelter, but it is a reflection of my inner self.
