Ss8 — ABSTRACT: Marina Ogai
GWANGJU | How the Korean-Russian painter is wielding folklore and feminism
This month on Studio Sessions, we’re looking beyond the apparent with ABSTRACT. This series profiles four visual artists exploring the limits of expression through the elemental perspectives of abstract art. Our first stop is in the Gwangju region of South Korea.
WORDS BY ALLISON CHOW
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GANS GIRDA
What does it mean to be an empowered woman, and what role can femininity play on the world stage across cultures? Expanding from a robust cannon of portraits, painter Marina Ogai devises soft, sensual, and defiantly feminine abstract compositions. As a contemporary Russian painter based in South Korea, Ogai’s diverse cultural experiences have attuned her to the impact of contrasting cultural norms and awoken a passion for advocating against barriers rooted in gender inequality. Working within the collective bid to dismantle the patriarchy, Ogai forms an imaginative space based on folklore and stories from her ancestral homelands, exposing hidden narratives of beautifully brave and fierce femininity.
FEMME FIGURES
CAN | Similar to your portraits, your abstract compositions are distinctly feminine. How do you connect with and channel your own femininity through this work in abstraction?
MO ─ Abstract art provides me with a liberating space to dig into the complexity of my feelings and experiences as a woman. It provides me with the freedom to delve into the depths of my subconscious, tapping into the intuitive and fluid aspects of my being. Through exploration, symbolism, subversion, and collaboration, I aim to celebrate the multifaceted nature of womanhood, challenge oppressive structures, and inspire others to embrace their own unique expressions of femininity.
ROOTS
CAN | A feminist perspective informs much of the work you do; what was the journey towards the political reality of your creative mission?
MO ─ As a Korean artist with roots in Russia, my journey towards embracing a feminist perspective in my artwork and aligning it with a political mission has been deeply personal and transformative. Growing up in Russia, I was exposed to different cultural and societal norms, which allowed me to observe the disparities and challenges faced by women in various contexts. However, it was upon returning to South Korea, my ancestral homeland, that I truly explored the complexities of gender inequality and the patriarchy.
I delved into the stories of powerful women from Korean folklore, history, and contemporary society who had been overlooked or overshadowed. As I immersed myself in feminist theories and engaged with feminist activism, my artwork became a platform to challenge and question societal norms, power structures, and systemic discrimination against women. My creative mission is rooted in the belief that art has the potential to provoke change and challenge power structures.
STUDIO SPACE
CAN | What’s one item that’s essential to your studio space?
MO ─ Flowers. They add a touch of natural beauty and aesthetic appeal to the space. They bring a sensory experience to the creative space. Their subtle fragrance can create a calming and peaceful ambiance, allowing me to relax and connect with my artistic intuition. The tactile experience of touching and arranging flowers can also be therapeutic and grounding.
