삶의 영역 [The Sphere of Life]

Caitlin Chung

Fishbowl

The Concept of Causality

The Family Portrait

Borderline

Third Generation

Artist's Statement

The Sphere of Life visualizes the excavation of various intersections and bifurcations of my Korean-American identity and culture. I have dug through the backdrop of my domestic sphere, exposing the intricate layers of my family portrait. By introducing new narratives and taking away old ones I have broken apart the image of family that was illustrated to me and in turn created new ones that resonate with my experience. This series speaks upon the interdimensional nature of our identities and how they can exist at multiple places at once in different embodiments. Sectioned first into three distinct generational spheres and ultimately merging into a combination of all, this multi-narrative storyline is constructed to encourage conversations about the challenges that come with bi-cultural upbringings and the struggle of self-identification independent from imprinted cultural or societal norms. From gender roles to religious values, this series tackles the often unspoken foundations of the institution of family.

CAITLIN CHUNG is a student photographer from Seoul, South Korea who is currently based in Medford, MA pursuing a BFA at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. Her work focuses on the connections between contrasting ideologies and cultures. Her photographs articulate the beginning stages of her cultural shift and has, since the beginning of her studies, grown into a broader curiosity and desire to seek an understanding of culture beyond the boundaries of her own home and identity. 

Caitlin was named a 2020 Presidential Scholar of the Arts and has produced images that have won national recognition through organizations such as Scholastics Art and Writing Awards and the National YoungArts Foundation. She has been selected as a YoungArts 2020 Finalist in Photography, and has been invited to the 2020 YoungArts Week in Miami, Florida. Caitlin was also chosen as a highlighted student artist in the cit.i.zen.ship: reflection on rights Exhibition sponsored by United Photo Industries, For Freedoms, Photoville, and the NYU Tisch School of Arts. She has also spoken as a student panelist at the Photoville LA Educator’s Day student panel.