By Honorary Reporter Donatella Astolfi from Italy
Photos = Gwang Gwang

I'm always intrigued how artistic expressions create connections between cultures no matter the difference or distance. While searching for links between Korean and Italian culture, I discovered the works of the Korea-based illustrator known as Gwang Gwang.

His illustration of Michelangelo's David struck me first, followed by others on his social media. Gwang Gwang has displayed his works at solo and group exhibitions in Korea including the Seoul Illustration Fair and won awards including from a social media contest in 2020. He has also collaborated with companies like Hyundai Engineering and Construction for its branding campaign last year. 

The following are excerpts from a March 12 interview with him via email. 

How did you decide to become an illustrator?

I've loved drawing since I was very young. I majored in visual design, but it was very different from what I thought would be connected to drawing. While rethinking my original passion of drawing, I learned about my job, which is linked to visual design.

What inspired your works?
In my early days, I thought it'd be fun to combine Korean culture and modern images as a visual design major. For example, I once drew a guy doing a mask dance on the traditional double-headed drum with reggae-style hair wearing a cap and sneakers.

But I now incorporate many more elements into my work. For example, if I see interesting content while watching the news or movies, I try to incorporate it into my work. I also try to make fun of objects I see in daily life.

Why do things from Korean culture often appear in your illustrations?

It's a little one-dimensional but I consider the hahoetal (traditional mask), tiger and Hanbok as representative elements of Korean identity. Ultimately, I want to express more images of Korea but nowadays, I try to express a wider variety of elements.

You drew the cover of an Italian-language book on Korean fairytales and stories.
This collaboration was both memorable and fascinating for me. An Italian publisher contacted me after seeing my illustration of a hahoetal online. I considered it an honor for my illustration to be on the cover of a book to promote Korean culture in Italy. 

I later found out that the author, Maurizio Riotto, was a professor at Anyang University in Korea and that the book was the first about Korean folktales translated into Italian. This made it even more interesting.

What corporate collaboration are you most proud of?

The one with Hyundai Engineering & Construction for its branding campaign was the most memorable. It was a large project and thus took up a lot of time, plus I paid a lot of attention to many aspects because they were ads posted at Anguk Station, one of the most visited in Korea. I not only wanted to promote the company's image but also our country's proud culture. 

What are your plans?
I want to continue collaborations with companies and express a variety of topics in my style not limited to specific elements. Thinking about my work takes a lot of time but I want to create more fun and unique Korean illustrations.

msjeon22@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.