What objects hold special meaning in your life? An old stuffed animal, a favorite pair of shoes, a wedding ring… the items we choose to cherish become conduits of emotion. In "Dial Tones," critically acclaimed artist and illustrator Minjung Kang (ANKA) returns to Opensea with another collection that rings of nostalgia. Rendered in her signature retro color palette, these symbols of sentimentality act much like a telephone, connecting us to distant lands, people, and memories. Through ANKA’s artwork, “Dialtones” calls on us to reflect upon our relationship to our possessions, and their ability to magically transport us across time and space.
I think back to the restaurant where we first met. And, whether it was a long meeting or a short meeting, I remember the time when we broke up. I don't know how much time has passed. It seems to be gathering dust like those old phones that aren't used anymore and people these days don't know how to use and have to look it up on YouTube to find out. Is it because I don't know how to make a call, or is it the number that the person I broke up with forgot to call and doesn't come back? There are people who just stay here and stamp their feet, not knowing what to do.
Now I can no longer feel the trembling that I felt while spinning one or two circles to express my heart to someone with sincerity. With a single swipe of your finger, you quickly forgot about me, and while I was waiting for the call to come in, I froze like a light mannequin with only a body left on display in front of the window, unable to even pick up the receiver. I was left with no idea whether the phone call was even incoming.
I saw a mountain of shark dolls piled up at the supermarket. The dolls were just piled up like freshly caught fish pouring out of an auction house. One day, he just roughly shook off the top doll and took it away, and another day, he rummaged through the dolls that were deep inside, thinking that the top doll had been touched by a lot of people, and took it to the checkout counter. In fact, someone flipped it upside down, someone took the top one, and someone from the staff piled the newly delivered dolls on top. In the end, no matter how hard we try, we never know whether we have what we want.
I'm nervous. I wore my favorite shoes and jumper, and even the red trousers that take a little courage to wear, but I'm not sure if I can do it well, something I've been instinctively doing since I was born.
Embarking on an unconventional creative journey, Minjung Kang (ANKA) transitioned from a forced University degree to the pursuit of art, driven by a profound desire to express herself. As her skills grew and she began to navigate solo and group exhibitions around Korea, ANKA grappled with the pressure to assign meaning to her work. After seeing the dark and heavy metaphors of her peers, she recognized burnout and vowed to redefine her creative focus in more subtle, nuanced ways – which led to her move to Jeju Island. While there, she delved into the changes and imaginations of small elements in daily life, providing a respite from the complexities of existence. Now a parent of two, ANKA’s work has never been stronger, or better received. This exploration, reminiscent of childhood wishes and the imagination of solitude, is evident in a desire to showcase work that resonates quietly, avoiding the clamor of loud noise and heavy metaphors. Through her work, ANKA aims to capture moments akin to discovering a shy little romance at the table next door or experiencing a subtle commotion, emphasizing the great meaning found in fleeting moments—a testament to the joy in simplicity and humor.
Embarking on an unconventional creative journey, Minjung Kang (ANKA) transitioned from a forced University degree to the pursuit of art, driven by a profound desire to express herself. As her skills grew and she began to navigate solo and group exhibitions around Korea, ANKA grappled with the pressure to assign meaning to her work. After seeing the dark and heavy metaphors of her peers, she recognized burnout and vowed to redefine her creative focus in more subtle, nuanced ways – which led to her move to Jeju Island. While there, she delved into the changes and imaginations of small elements in daily life, providing a respite from the complexities of existence. Now a parent of two, ANKA’s work has never been stronger, or better received. This exploration, reminiscent of childhood wishes and the imagination of solitude, is evident in a desire to showcase work that resonates quietly, avoiding the clamor of loud noise and heavy metaphors. Through her work, ANKA aims to capture moments akin to discovering a shy little romance at the table next door or experiencing a subtle commotion, emphasizing the great meaning found in fleeting moments—a testament to the joy in simplicity and humor.
