Greg Ito - Seoul, South Korea

Silkscreen print, edition of 50, signed and numbered by the artist, unframed

Destination: Seoul, South Korea

Date: 8-15 November, 2019

Jaunt #061

approx. 27.5"h x 19.75"w, 70cm x 50cm

“I didn't know what to expect. This trip was a total surprise to me, as I was asked to go the week before the trip. It ended up working out perfectly. I was already planning on going out of town for my birthday, only just outside of Los Angeles, instead I ended up in Seoul! Since I was asked to go to Seoul so suddenly, I didn't have much time to research and plan an itinerary. Instead I contacted all my friends and art contacts to see if they knew anybody in Seoul, and would kindly do introductions for me. I was grateful to have been introduced to a handful of people who showed me their slice of Seoul, share a meal, share some drinks, share some stories, and forge a new friendship. I'm happy to have met everyone on this journey. 

I don't get to travel to Asia often, so it’s really mind blowing being immersed in a new city where you don't know anything about it, especially if it’s out of the country. It’s a great way to learn new things about yourself as you navigate the landscape not knowing the language or customs. The alleyways that permeate the city of Seoul are amazing, full of lights, people, food, and shopping. I loved exploring with no destination in mind, just wondering. The artwork I created is a depiction of one of my favorite views of Seoul Tower. Everywhere you go in Seoul you see the tower up in the clouds perched on a green mountain top above the river. It was one of my destinations to see it up close and see the view. The landscaped is cropped in window shaped as keyhole, a symbol I use often in my work. It is a symbol used to emphasize the feeling of longing, particularly for a place that you're unable to visit or a dream never realized. Seoul was one of the places I always wanted to visit, but never got to visit it until now.” 

-Greg Ito