Beyond the Artwork: Finding Connection at Between Faces

Art exhibitions offer opportunities to experience different perspectives, but they can also create spaces for people to connect. On October 18, Arise Art Space in Suyeong-gu hosted an artist talk and workshop for Between Faces, a joint exhibition by Korean painter Lim Heejung and photographer Niall Ruddy. The afternoon brought together Korean and international attendees to explore the stories behind the artwork and engage in conversations about identity, representation, and belonging.

Looking Beyond Familiar Faces

Lim Heejung's colorful paintings focus on a group often encountered but rarely considered in depth: older Korean women, commonly referred to as ajummas. Inspired partly by her relationship with her mother, Lim became curious about the women she regularly observed sitting in subway stations and other public spaces. What experiences had shaped their lives? What stories existed beyond their familiar appearances?

Her paintings bring these women into focus as individuals, encouraging viewers to consider the personal histories behind people they might otherwise pass without a second thought.

"By placing people who are usually overlooked at the center of my paintings, I hope viewers will pause for a moment and really look at them. In particular, I want to cultivate a way of seeing others, especially those from a different generation than mine, or those whose lives have unfolded entirely differently from my own."

For Lim, this attention to others is also an opportunity for personal reflection. Although we may never fully understand another person's experiences, she believes meaningful relationships begin with acknowledging and trying to understand lives different from our own.

Niall Ruddy's photography approaches identity from another perspective. His exhibition features five individuals with Korean heritage whose experiences challenge conventional ideas about what it means to be Korean. Each participant is represented through three photographic approaches: a natural portrait, a portrait wearing a traditional Korean mask, and an environmental photograph incorporating Korean cultural elements.

For international residents, the questions raised by his work may feel particularly familiar. In a society where cultural belonging is often closely associated with ancestry and upbringing, Ruddy's portraits reveal how even people with Korean heritage can experience uncertainty about where they fit in.

"I interviewed each participant for several hours, and what really struck me was how similar their feelings about living in Korea were to my own. They felt the same alienation related to their 'othering' that I have felt, but there is also a hope that through work like this we can create understanding and, ultimately, connection."

Art as a Shared Conversation

Beyond the exhibitions themselves, the afternoon demonstrated how art can bring people together. Following an opportunity to explore the gallery and meet other attendees, both artists introduced their work before participating in a moderated discussion and audience Q&A.

The conversation was hosted by Min, co-owner of Arise Art Space, who also provided live interpretation between Korean and English. Her bilingual facilitation allowed both artists to communicate their ideas while making the discussion accessible to attendees from different linguistic backgrounds.

The event also encouraged interaction beyond the formal presentation. During an informal break, visitors continued conversations with one another and had opportunities to speak directly with the artists.

The afternoon concluded with a portrait-drawing workshop led by Lim Heejung. Participants partnered up to draw one another, regardless of artistic experience, before reflecting on the process together. The activity extended the exhibition's emphasis on observing and understanding others, transforming visitors from viewers into participants in the creative process.

More Than an Exhibition

Between Faces brought together two distinct artistic perspectives, one exploring the overlooked lives of older women and the other examining the complexities of Korean heritage and cultural belonging. Both invited audiences to look beyond appearances and consider the experiences that shape individual identities.

Just as importantly, the artist talk showed the value of accessible, community-centered cultural spaces. Through bilingual discussion, personal exchanges, and creative participation, Arise Art Space provided an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to engage with art and with one another.

Between Faces is on display at Arise Art Space in Suyeong-gu, Busan, through October 23, 2026. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 1 PM to 7 PM.