By Honorary Reporter Preeti Rawat from India

Photos = Aaron Cossrow

Aaron Cossrow has made a name for himself in Korea's expat community for artworks that capture the quiet but energetic everyday life of the nation's older generation. His work has been featured in numerous Korean publications and media, including the popular MBC show "Welcome, First Time in Korea?" 

"I like capturing older Koreans because I feel they're a generation that has a lot more flavor. It was harder for people in that generation. Now that Korea is incredibly successful and Seoul is already built, I feel that the people who helped build Seoul had to get their hands dirty and work day in, day out," the American said in an audio interview conducted on March 3.

Aaron Cossrow's subjects are the older generation in Korea. He said that after he completes a portrait, he offers his subject a print of his work.

A native of Philadelphia, Cossrow studied industrial design and later moved to Korea to teach English conversation so that he could "figure out" his life because he had no art skills. Because he learned art in the country, he calls Korea his "art school. He calls himself a visual journalist who draws people and places that are part of his experience and captures real people and their lives. 

The artist started his journey in Korea by documenting the dark and gritty nightlife scenes of Seoul's popular expat area Itaewon in a comic book-style art form. "I captured Itaewon because I was part of that nightlife for many years. I was just documenting my story," he said. 

He later moved on to the older generation in Korea, saying, "Now I just like to capture people who are a specific representation of Korea, those who are specifically and uniquely part of the Korean experience." His subjects range from a shoeshine man to workers at a woodshop to vegetable sellers at a traditional market. He said chooses his subjects based on their backgrounds, jobs, surroundings and character that people can relate to. 

Though he experiments with a variety of mediums, he said he prefers classic oil paintings. On his painting process, he said he first shows the subjects his portfolio, explains his work and seeks their permission to take their photos. He later cuts the pictures, adding, "I start with a simple monotone underpainting and from there, I build it up within a series of layers, starting from very rough and moving up with a series of details and vibrancy in colors to a final finished and detailed oil portrait." 

After he completes a piece, he offers a print to the subjects. His social media shows many happy recipients of his works.

Cossrow said he has never faced challenges while working in Korea, adding that everyone he has approached has been "incredibly openminded" about his work and agreed to be photographed. On what makes Korea unique, he said, "Personally, I find the older generation very warm, open, and welcoming with a lot of humor and spirit." 

Among his numerous works, he said his favorite (below) is one depicting a camera store owned by an elderly couple. 

Aaron Cossrow said his favorite work is a picture of a camera store owned by an elderly couple.

His latest project is documenting the workers of Euljiro 3-ga, a Seoul district known for its decades-old businesses that is being redeveloped into apartment complexes. He said he wants to preserve both the history and culture of the workers of the area before they are lost. 

At 3 m wide and 175 cm tall, the painting, slated to be unveiled on March 11, is the largest Cossrow has made. He said he visited Euljiro 3-ga with his interpreter and interacted with people there, adding, "Twenty-four workers wanted to be documented before their community is displaced. It was an electric and awesome experience." 

"I believe it to be an important story and piece of Seoul's history."

Aaron Cossrow's largest work is a tribute to the Euljiro 3-ga area of Seoul and its culture before the region's demolition and redevelopment.

kalhong617@korea.kr 

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.