The Portfolio Section of Hugo Han
This work depicts me as a child, drawing pictures and finding a sense of stability through communicating with the world within them. Inside the sketchbook, unfolds the spaces of memory and imagination I loved; the beautiful nature, an amusement park, and more. In contrast, the warped buildings and thorny brambles outside symbolize the fear and anxiety I felt toward an unfamiliar society. The act of drawing was both a door through which I opened my own world, even amid fear, and a sanctuary that quietly held my wavering heart.
Originating from an old toy I stumbled upon while cleaning my room, this artwork explores the forgetfulness that accompanies growing up and the unchanging internal values that endure despite it. The surging blue waves filling the upper portion of the canvas symbolize the relentless passage of time we face as adults. The faintly blurred figures engulfed in the waves serve as a self-portrait of modern people, living busy lives while unknowingly letting go of precious childhood memories. The sandcastle, easily eroded by the crashing water, represents our external appearance and environment—things that inevitably shift and wear away with time. In contrast, the plastic castle maintaining its vibrant colors amidst the waves embodies the pure friendships and memories that remain unextinguished deep within our hearts, even as we forget so much in adulthood. The hands of various sizes coming together to build the castle visualize the permanence of human connection, which refuses to be worn away by the process of growing older. Ultimately, this piece conveys that even after the wave of time sweeps everything away, an irreplaceable, cherished essence still remains intact.
The ocean sustains life on Earth, protecting humanity and ecosystems while providing vital resources. Yet, we have treated this life-giving force with neglect—polluting its waters, dumping waste, and destroying marine life. When I struggled with severe skin issues, using lotions and creams helped restore my skin. Curious about their ingredients, I researched online and discovered that overlooked marine life, like coral reefs and seaweeds, were the true sources behind these skincare remedies. While humans value a "give and take" principle among themselves, our relationship with the ocean has been entirely one-sided. We take it constantly without giving back, causing devastating coral bleaching and widespread ecosystem destruction. Inspired by how corals healed my skin, I envisioned humans creating a "natural cream" to restore color to bleached, dying reefs. Through this artwork, I aimed to expose human selfishness and highlight just how much we depend on the ocean, emphasizing the need to finally give back.
These are a few of my artworks that I have made since I first started preparing for art school. I submitted them to different art competitions—one piece, titled "The Shape of Memory," won a Bronze Award, while the other two are still awaiting their results.
I genuinely love painting, and every time I brainstorm new ideas, I can feel my skills improving, which gives me so much fulfillment. My passion for art remains as strong as ever, and I truly hope it stays this way for a long time.
