Collector Interview #1
: Yousl Im (Seoul, South Korea)
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Collected Work: Seo-hyeon Moon (Korean b.1982), Red-Spotted Mosi Butterfly
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Acquired: April 2025
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Related Exhibition: Glittering and Fleeting : Seo-hyeon Moon, Xu Zichun
At Alpha Contemporary
Collected Work
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Artist: Seo-hyeon Moon
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Title: Red-Spotted Mosi Butterfly
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Size: 53 × 53 cm
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Medium: Various Fabrics (Kimono), Hand Sewing and Fabric Dyeing
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Year: 2025
How did you first encounter Seo-hyeon Moon's work?
It was truly by chance—looking back, it feels like destiny. Around 2021, my husband and I were searching for a new home. One non-negotiable condition was that upon opening the front door, there had to be a wall directly ahead where we could hang artwork.
In Korea, apartment layouts are typically standardized. Often, upon entering, there's a long hallway or an open view of the entire space. I didn't like that. I believe the entrance is the face of the home, and I wanted to hang a piece I love right there.
Then, as if by fate, we found an apartment where a wall stood directly opposite the entrance. It was an old building, untouched since its construction, like a hidden gem. I immediately started searching for the perfect artwork for that spot.
One day, a friend I follow on Instagram posted about an exhibition by Seo-hyeon Moon. The moment I saw the moon jar piece, I was captivated. I told my husband, and we rushed to the exhibition—it was the last day. The show was titled "Yunseul," which felt serendipitous.
At the exhibition, I was deeply moved by the works. Since it wasn't hosted by a gallery, there was no curator present. I shyly asked the artist about the prices, only to learn that all pieces had been sold. As I was leaving, the artist asked for my contact information. A few days later, she reached out, saying a piece had become available because the original buyer needed a larger work for a commercial space. Lucky me! That's how the moon jar found its place in the prime spot of our home.
What drew you to the Red-Spotted Mosi Butterfly?
There was no reason not to choose it! When I told my husband about selecting this piece, she immediately said, "That's so you." Even the artist remarked, "Of course."
I usually prefer monochromatic outfits with subtle, unique details. This piece resonates with that—elegant, refined tones accented by a striking red dot.
Moreover, the story behind the butterfly, as explained by the gallery director, solidified my decision. It's a resilient species that survives even in sub-zero temperatures and is currently endangered, making it even more precious.
Our baby just turned two, and I often worry about the world they'll grow up in. I hope they can face challenges as bravely as the red-spotted mosi butterfly. I also intend to cherish and care for this butterfly in our home for a long time.
How has the piece transformed your living space?
Whenever a new artwork enters our home, it prompts me to revisit and appreciate our existing collection. Placing the butterfly next to the moon jar creates a beautiful harmony.
The wall where the butterfly hangs has a design reminiscent of a perpetual winter, which complements the piece wonderfully. Moon Seohyun's works shine more under natural light than artificial lighting, so placing it near the window brings me joy every time I see it.
Does the artwork evoke any particular emotions or memories?
This acquisition marked my first solo trip since becoming a mother two years ago. My husband gifted me this time to relax, making the entire journey memorable. In a way, I see myself in the red-spotted mosi butterfly. As a first-time mom, I faced many challenges, but like the butterfly, I persevered. Now, I'm embracing life beyond just being "Mom Yuseul."
The exhibition space was stunning, and the view from the window remains vivid in my memory.
At Alpha Contemporary
This is your second piece by Moon Seohyun. What continues to draw you to her work?
This acquisition marked my first solo trip since becoming a mother two years ago. My husband gifted me this time to relax, making the entire journey memorable. In a way, I see myself in the red-spotted mosi butterfly. As a first-time mom, I faced many challenges, but like the butterfly, I persevered. Now, I'm embracing life beyond just being "Mom Yousl."
The exhibition space was stunning, and the view from the window remains vivid in my memory.
Seo-hyeon Moon, Moon Jar
Who would you recommend the butterfly series to?
I'd suggest it to those who already own at least one of Moon Seohyun's works. It's like moving from the "mild" to the "spicy" version of her art. The pieces are more intricate and profound, offering a deeper experience for seasoned collectors.
Seo-hyeon Moon (Korean b.1982)
Seo-hyeon Moon creates contemporary patchworks in her unique style while making full use of traditional techniques of Chogakbo, Korean traditional patchwork. She uses recycling scraps of silk from Hanbok, Kimono and other items for her works.
She presents her works that are closer to painting, based on the abstract patterns, compositional beauty, and sophisticated color arrangement seen in the traditional Chogakbo.
You can see this in her butterfly series especially which depicts abstract patterns while expressing figurative expressions.
Moon works through the labor-intensive process of hand-sewing, accumulating time with each stitch
Each hand-sewn piece is a glorious inspiration of the sensibilities, feelings, and experiences that have been inherent in her life.
In the Butterfly series, the graceful shapes, the beauty of the multicolored wings are composed of a collection of various senses and diverse shards of light that are subdivided by fine stitches. Each pattern of butterfly wings can be experienced as a rhyme of delicate sensibility and the artist's own narrative, along with the unique beauty of the composition.
Her butterflies, which seem to be fluttering gracefully at any moment, express the secret of their existence in a sophisticated visual language of life's brilliance and fragility.
Graduated from Kyungwon University, Department of Textile Art, in 2005. Held a solo exhibition at Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center in 2023 (selected by the New Artist Contest Program), selected for the 2021 Kimyo 2021 Opencall solo exhibition contest and selected as a Young Korean Artist at the 2021 CICA Museum of Art, participated in a group exhibition at Alpha Contemporary, Tokyo (2024), and has been active in Korea and abroad.