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JUNKHOUSE INTERVIEW
2008.01.20
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Name:Junkhouse
Occupation: street artist / designer
Current Location: Seoul, Korea
The Native Gaze recently had the chance to visit the studio of street artist, Junkhouse, whose work was recently featured in the 420ml exhibition called “Character” held at Gallery On.
TNG: Please tell us a little about yourself and your work.
JH: Well, I wouldn’t really consider myself a painter really, just a working artist at this point. When I first started making artwork, I was just doodling, not really painting in the traditional sense. My work tends to be a bit lighter. My recent work has been mostly posters that I put up in the street. I hope to become a painter someday, but it’s hard.
I also worked in a design company for a few years a while back which was interesting, but I ended up stopping to pursue my own work. Although it was design, the work was all fairly insignificant and not exactly what I wanted to be doing. I still do some freelance work now. It was a little different back then because there wasn’t as much demand for art and design as there is now. Now, there a lot of people who are interested in buying custom designed products or services so it’s a little easier to find work.
TNG: What got you starting putting up posters? Why put your work on the street?
JH: Well, I think in the beginning it was the walls that attracted me. There are so many beautiful streets in Korea, especially the older ones, and a lot of times they are already covered with posters for nightclubs or moving companies. I think a lot of foreigners are interested in traditional Korean streets, too. Just seeing simple things like kimchi pots can be interesting and exciting for them. It’s kind of sad too because these streets are so rapidly being replaced by huge apartment complexes and people are so busy going to and from work they don’t even notice them anymore.
TNG: What’s your relationship like with the people in the neighborhoods where you put up your work? Do you ask permission before putting them up?
JH: I don’t usually ask for permission. Putting up a poster doesn’t take that much time, so most people don’t see and even if they do they don’t tend to care that much. There have been some times when the owner of a building will come out and ask what I’m doing. Most of the time, I just explain that I’m an artist and they don’t seem to care too much. Especially compared to painting, a poster can be taken down, so it’s less permanent. Some older women have said the pieces are kind of scary, but they weren’t mad.
TNG: Lately, it seems like a lot of street artists are only concentrating on certain areas in Seoul like Hongdae and Apgujeong. I think that’s why your work is a little more interesting because you are working in different areas and not sticking to the popular, trendy neighborhoods.
JH: It’s not really my goal to get my name out to the public like other graffiti or street artists. My work usually starts with a character and when I find a wall or building that I think goes well with the character, I put it up. The wall and environment is an important part of the work, so I’m always looking around for good spots or places that inspire me when I’m walking around the city.
