'Home Away from Home' explores Korean-American identity

A new duo exhibition at Roswell Cultural Arts Center, “Home Away from Home,” brings together the work of two second-generation Korean-Americans, artists Helen Choi and Amberly Hui Hood, in a visual conversation about culture and identity. (Courtesy of Helen Choi)

For many of us, the memories and sensations of home are often in our minds. For some second-generation Americans, what “home” means might be less certain, or perhaps just broader.

A new duo exhibition at Roswell Cultural Arts Center, “Home Away from Home,” brings together the work of two second-generation Korean-Americans, artists Helen Choi and Amberly Hui Hood, in a visual conversation about culture and identity.

The artists joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Riverside to share more about their creations and what inspires them.



Although the two artists ran in many of the same circles and were aware of one another’s existence, they hadn’t actually met until they were connected for the dual exhibition in Roswell. “Atlanta has a really big and close-knit community,” says Hui Hood, referring to the city’s artistic and Korean-American communities.

Both of their works feature abstractions of color and shape, riffing on the shared Korean-American heritage that makes the two “a perfect match.”

The exhibition’s theme is “Home Away from Home,” tying together both artists’ deep ties to Korea and America with patchwork explorations.

Hood’s medium of choice for it is pojagi, a Korean quilting process that she has modified to accommodate silicon rubber. At the same time, Hui Hood explores color and texture with layered paintings that resemble collages.

Their works are on view through Sept. 20.