“Song of the Cosmos,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
An artist’s primary goal is often to conjure disparate worlds, but perhaps none are as fantastical as Seongmin Yoo’s. Across her vibrant canvases, the California-based artist evokes the intrigue and mystery of landscapes completely unknown, each populated by strange casts of characters.
Yoo’s newest exhibition, Visions of the Universe at Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles, gathers these paintings into one cohesive narrative. We encounter bulbous, jellyfish-like creatures floating through the sky; massive eyeballs running across pink dirt; chimeras awaiting the arrival of a space shuttle; and humanoids preparing otherworldly meals. No matter their conceit, these works beautifully showcase Yoo’s tremendous imagination and her preference for futurist imagery.
Though Visions of the Universe focuses on painting, Yoo nevertheless identifies as an interdisciplinary artist. Her practice spans everything from sculpture, installation, and public projects, all of which display the same inventiveness as her paintings.
My Modern Met had the opportunity to chat with Seongmin Yoo about her creative influences, her thematic underpinnings, and Visions of the Universe. Read on for our exclusive interview with the artist.
“Rolling Eye,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
“Get Ready to Disembark,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
What originally drew you to art, and how did you develop your personal style?
I got into art practice naturally during my early life. When I was young, I didn’t see any separation between painting and other activities—painting was just another form of play for me. I learned various art-making skills like drawing, painting, calligraphy, ink wash, and even building small sculptures, all through exploration and play. At the time, I didn’t realize that art could be someone’s career; it was simply a part of my everyday life.
My early experiences with art are closely tied to my family, especially my mother, who was a major influence on me. She’s a poet, but in many ways, she’s also an artist. She expressed herself through poetry, embroidery, and crafts. I was always inspired by whatever she was creating, and I enjoyed spending time alongside her, exploring my own creativity.
As I grew older, art-making became a way for me to understand who I am. I’ve always believed— and still believe—that the meaning of art and the essence of visual expression can be found within myself. When I reflect on how I research and develop my personal art style, it feels like diving into my own body. It’s as if my body is a deep blue ocean, and I’m swimming, tapping into deeper and deeper layers to find the answers that guide my art practice.
“Offset Magnetic System,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
What intrigues you about surrealist imagery, and how do you incorporate this throughout your art?
People often see surrealist imagery in my paintings, but I consider myself more of a futurist. Whether or not my work visually separates humans from other forms of life, my focus is on exploring what might happen in the future. So yes, I identify as a futurist.
Visions of the Universe is inspired by my imagination of space travel. While some people think of space travel as something far off in the future, I believe it could happen sooner than we expect. I imagine us traveling to different planets and encountering new creatures. Each painting I create represents its own unique planet, with its own creatures, environments, and ecosystems. That’s how I envision my work, and it’s a concept I want to share with people.
This series has a dreamy, vibrant, and hopeful quality because I’m thinking about the future with optimism. Although the imagery is bright and colorful, there’s a deeper message behind it. I want to express the idea that, despite our differences in appearance, we are all connected. Each of my paintings features different creatures, but the underlying theme is respect—respect for who they are and where they come from. I hope this message extends beyond my artwork, encouraging people to respect one another just as we would respect the alien beings in my paintings.
“Spectrum of Soul,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
“Entwined Origins,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
You often include unusual and humorous creatures throughout your art. What compels you about these creatures, and how do you imbue them with distinct personalities?
I think this question is especially important for Visions of the Universe of paintings because, when I reflect on my process, I realize that I always start by creating the creature first. For me, it’s much easier to begin with the creature rather than trying to develop an entire concept—like the creature and its environment—all at once. That’s why my process starts there.
When I create a creature, I naturally develop a sense of respect for it. As I observe what I’ve made, I begin to imagine what it can do and what it might be like. Since these beings are completely alien, I don’t know who they are or how they exist. I don’t want to assume they eat, sleep, or behave like humans. Instead, I try to keep my mind open to any possibility—they could have life protocols that are entirely different from those on Earth.
After creating the creature, I start to imagine the kind of environment it would live in. Seeing the creature helps me decide its surroundings—the colors, the atmosphere, even the type of air, if any. I don’t think these creatures need to have air like we do, but I want to convey a sense of their unique environment. Through this process, they start to develop their own personalities, which is something I deeply care about. That’s why I feel the need to create distinct worlds for them.
Additionally, when I’m painting these creatures, I think about how their behaviors, body movements, shapes, sizes, and colors might all be interconnected. Their physical forms influence how they might move or interact with their environment, adding another layer of depth to their identities.
“Stirring the Stars,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
“Echoes of Tumble and Twirl,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
You work across several media, but your current show at Corey Helford Gallery focuses primarily on painting. What’s your creative process like when it comes to painting?
Thank you for recognizing that I’m not only a painter but also work with sculpture, installation, and performance art. It’s true that this show, however, is primarily focused on my paintings. In my process, I start by creating the figure first, and then I decide what kind of environment would make sense for that creature. This approach helps me build a cohesive connection between the figure and its surroundings, allowing each piece to feel alive and complete.
“Drifting Eternities,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
“Whipping Up Wonders,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
What was the experience preparing for the exhibition, and do you have any favorite pieces in it?
Preparing for this show has been a really great experience, especially with the support from Corey Helford Gallery. The gallery’s audience is truly amazing—they have a strong sensibility and respond quickly and thoughtfully to the art they encounter. This is the power of Corey Helford Gallery, and it presents an exciting challenge for me: to create work that can truly capture and hold the attention of such an engaged audience.
I hold two master’s degrees—one from UC Davis and another from Sacramento State—and my work is deeply rooted in conceptual ideas, supported by extensive research in art practice. While my work has always focused on sociopolitical and environmental issues, I’ve learned over time that people are often first drawn to the visual aspects. That initial attraction encourages them to engage more deeply with the underlying concepts. I discovered this through observing how audiences interact with my installations.
This understanding has influenced my current painting series. I believe the visual appeal can hold people’s attention longer, sparking their curiosity about the meaning behind the work. I’ve been happily preparing for this exhibition, and I’m fortunate to have two shows happening simultaneously. One is at Corey Helford Gallery, running from February through March, and the other will be at Gallery LP Seoul in March. It’s exciting to have shows in two different locations, although it also means producing a larger body of work to meet the demands of both exhibitions.
“Where Laughter Grows Deep,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
“Spirit Planet,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
What does it mean for you to be an interdisciplinary artist? What are the themes you most like to interrogate throughout your art?
As an interdisciplinary artist, I don’t feel tied to any specific material or medium—I don’t see the need to stick to just one. Working across painting, sculpture, installation, and other forms isn’t easy. It’s challenging to handle different materials, manage the technical demands, and, of course, I always need more space and resources. But for me, the medium always comes after the concept. Once I’ve decided what I want to express with my work, I can choose the medium that best conveys that message. This flexibility is something I really enjoy because it allows me to work with any material that aligns with my ideas.
In the beginning, I was worried about not focusing solely on painting. I thought that to be considered a “real” painter, I had to devote my entire life to it, just like artists who specialize exclusively in painting. I know that kind of dedication can produce exceptional work. But now, I’m happy with the path I’ve chosen. I’ve realized that I know which medium best supports each of my conceptual ideas, and that clarity has been empowering.
My work often revolves around themes of humanity, and through that lens, it also reflects my own identity. I don’t see myself as separate from others—whatever struggles I face in my life are struggles that many people share. For example, as an Asian woman and an immigrant living in the United States, I’ve encountered various obstacles. When I create work that speaks to those experiences, I believe people can recognize their own challenges reflected in my art.
In my sculptures, I explore themes of identity, displacement, and the confrontation of new environments and people. I’ve been making sculptures that focus on the immigrant body, expressing feelings of navigating unfamiliar spaces. In many ways, my paintings of alien creatures parallel this experience—I relate to them as an immigrant in the U.S., feeling both connected and alien in a new world.
“Floating Rocks,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
What do you hope people will take away from your work?
I hope to share my experiences and vision in a way that leaves people feeling hopeful—hopeful about the future and inspired to see it in a positive light. My interest in color and color theory plays a significant role in this process.
The colors I use in my work are intentionally selected to create atmospheres filled with light, aiming to evoke emotional responses that connect to people’s own memories and experiences. Through the interplay of color temperature and juxtaposition, I want to trigger a sense of familiarity and reflection, allowing viewers to project their feelings onto the work.
My hope is that people will walk away from my work feeling uplifted, carrying with them a sense of warmth and a renewed perspective on the possibilities the future holds. For me, art is all about sharing a sense of hope and connection.
“Geyser Bug,” featured in “Visions of the Universe” at Corey Helford Gallery.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up?
I have an exciting project coming up. After finishing two painting shows in Los Angeles and Seoul, I’m now focusing on sculpture for my upcoming exhibition at the Holter Museum in Helena, Montana, opening in June. I’ve completed five life-size figures and am currently working on five more, with the installation featuring a total of 10 standing figures.
The work explores human flow within the museum space, reflecting on how people move and interact, both physically and emotionally. The arrangement will invite viewers to walk through and around the figures, becoming part of the installation. This immersive experience ties into the show’s central theme of displacement, addressing human, animal, and environmental shifts in today’s world.
Exhibition Information
Seongmin Yoo
Visions of the Universe
February 1-March 8, 2025
Corey Helford Gallery
571 S Anderson St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Seongmin Yoo: Website | Instagram
Corey Helford Gallery: Website | Instagram
Interview has been edited to length and clarity. My Modern Met granted permission to feature images by Corey Helford Gallery.
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