Sungmo Cho's 2014 oil on canvas art piece, titled "Along the LOVE Road," shows various objects and scenes divided and intersected by roads. Courtesy of Sungmo Cho
New York-based Korean American visual artist Sungmo Cho is returning to his homeland after 14 years, bringing his artworks to exhibit at various galleries across the country.
Having moved to New York in 1992, his path has been one of adaptation and transformation. His creative works reflect a lifelong reflection on humanity, shaped by migration, memory and a deep connection to nature.
The contrast between Korean and American cultures has profoundly shaped Cho’s artistic identity. He has exhibited widely, with more than 30 solo shows in New York, Korea and Japan, in addition to over 150 group shows in four countries.
“Like many immigrants, it’s not easy to live as an artist. You have to work, and everything feels unfamiliar — the culture, the language, even daily life,” he told The Korea Times.
Artist Sungmo Cho poses in central Seoul's Insa-dong neighborhood, May 1. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
He recalls the early years as challenging. Yet, over time, he learned to navigate and embrace the differences between Korean society's collectivist nature and American individualism, gradually forming a dual identity that he now carries with ease.
“In America, people don’t care what you wear or what you do; they respect your space,” he said.
This contrast did not create conflict within him; rather, it expanded his perspective. He describes himself as naturally adaptable, able to absorb and respect different cultural environments while maintaining his Korean identity.
Before emigrating, Cho’s work in Korea focused heavily on the theme of civilization. Living through a period of rapid industrialization, he observed how quickly urban environments were transforming, and how that transformation often came at a cost.
Source: Korea Times News
