Seunghwui Koo

Koo Seunghwui (b. 1981) is known for her satirical and provocative sculptures that meld human elements with that of a pig. Growing up in Korea, Seunghwui knew pigs as a symbol of luck and good fortune. When she moved to New York, she learned pigs have far different connotations in Western Culture, such as greed and gluttony. These differing views of the animal are symbolic of the differences Seunghwui experienced between Eastern and Western Cultures.  The new world proved to be a place ruled by money and material things, leaving little room for love and happiness. Seunghwui sees today's society as highly competitive and at times toxic; by putting superficial prosperity before the people around them, people are left lonely and unfulfilled. Using the image of the pig, Seunghwui's work evokes these themes and offers social commentary. In her "Narcissism" series, Seunghwui depicts humanoid pig figures gazing into their reflections. While satirizing the vanity and materialism Seunghwui experiences in NYC, these sculptures also promote thoughtfulness and hope within the viewer.

Koo Seunghwui has shown her sculptural works in a number of exhibitions including Monmouth Museum, NJ, Belskie Museum of Art & Science, NJ, Newark Museum, NJ, Azarian McCullough Art Gallery, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY and Main Line Art Center, PA, among others. She is one of the artists in the Chashama organization in NYC. Koo currently lives and works in New Jersey and New York.