Biography
Eunsuh Choi is a renowned Korean-born glass artist known for her intricate flameworked sculptures that often serve as personal narratives and portraits of her own moments of growth. Born in South Korea in 1977, Choi’s artistic journey has taken her from her homeland to the United States, where she has established herself as a notable presence in the American glass art scene.
Education and Early Career
Choi’s formal education in glass art began in South Korea, where she earned her first Master’s degree in glass from Kookmin University. Seeking to further her studies and expand her artistic horizons, she moved to the United States as an international student. In 2007, Choi completed her second Master of Fine Arts degree from the Department of American Craft at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York.
Artistic Style and Techniques
Eunsuh Choi is primarily known for her flameworking techniques, which she uses to create intricate objects and installations composed of fused glass threads[10]. Her work often features themes of aspiration, growth, and the juxtaposition between limitation and ambition. Choi’s sculptures frequently incorporate organic forms such as trees and ladders, which she uses as metaphors for personal growth and the human spirit.
One of Choi’s signature styles involves combining geometric shapes like boxes or houses with organic tree forms. These pieces represent her personal struggles as a foreign artist and woman, symbolizing the limitations she has encountered in pursuing her dreams.
Notable Works and Collections
Choi prefers to work on larger-than-life pieces. Her 12-foot-tall sculpture “Aspiration” is part of the permanent collection at the Corning Museum of Glass. Her works can also be found in several prestigious institutions and private collections, including:
- European Museum of Modern Glass (Germany)
- Cafesjian Center for the Arts (Armenia)
- Wallace Library, Rochester Institute of Technology (USA)
- Korea Craft Museum (South Korea)
- LG Jewelry Museum (South Korea)
- Lotte Hotel Yangon (Myanmar)
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Eunsuh Choi has received several accolades for her innovative glasswork:
- Nominated as a searchlight artist by the American Craft Council in 2009
- Received a talent award from the Jutta Cuny-Franz Foundation in Germany in April 2013
Exhibitions and Professional Activities
Choi has participated in numerous exhibitions worldwide. Some notable recent exhibitions include:
- “Full Spectrum: Visionaries Elevating Art, Crafts, and Design” at Pittsburgh Glass Center (2022)
- “2022 Craft Biennial Exhibition” at Fuller Craft Museum, Massachusetts
- The Collect 2023 at Somerset House, London
In addition to her artistic practice, Choi is an active educator in the glass art community. She has given lectures and workshops at various institutions, including:
- The State University of New York College at Brockport
- Tyler School of Temple University
- UrbanGlass
- International Society of Glass Beadmakers
- Hongik University (South Korea)
Currently, Choi serves as an instructor at the Roc Art and Flame Center in Rochester, a training center for welding, glass, and blacksmithing.
Media Recognition
Eunsuh Choi’s work has been featured in numerous publications, including Sculpture Magazine, NEUES GLAS, The Flow magazine, American Craft Magazine, and New Glass Review, among others.
With over 23 years of experience working with glass, Eunsuh Choi continues to push the boundaries of her craft, creating ethereal works that explore themes of personal growth, cultural identity, and human aspiration. Her unique artistic vision and technical skill have established her as a significant figure in contemporary glass art.