Why did you study landscape architecture? 

I earned my BFA from the School of Art and Architecture at Cornell University. During my studies in Fine Art, I had the opportunity to explore both Architecture and Landscape Architecture. As I engaged with these fields, my interest in three-dimensional design grew. I began to see Landscape Architecture as a form of land art, which expanded my perspective on visual art and eventually led me to study Landscape Architecture.
 

As an Asian woman, what are your thoughts on working as an architect and an artist?

I traveled extensively throughout my career. This fact positioned me as someone unique – people could not categorize me as strictly Asian, American, or European. I must admit that, as a young woman, there were times when I tried to adapt to Western norms due to a lack of self-confidence. However, my unique situation – being different – eventually bolstered my confidence in my identity. I believe that one's sense of identity is often strengthened through diversity.

Being different, I realized that I didn’t need to conform to others; instead, my differences fostered self-confidence. With this confidence, we, as Asian women, can contribute meaningfully to the art world and to society.
 

You said that you are greatly inspired by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, which are representative philosophies of Asia. What exactly resonates with you?

My art explores the complex relationships between humanity and nature, emphasizing the dualism of internal and external existence and the interplay between natural and artificial elements. The idea of the relationship between humans and nature was also very strong during the Romantic era of Western art and culture. Therefore, I can say my work is influenced by both Taoism and Western Romanticism. However I merge diverse genres such as music, poetry, and philosophy. Developing my unique artistic language, I combine various artistic methods with techniques and materials derived from architectural practice and experiences. This expands my work to express the embodiment of both Western and Eastern cultures.