Conversations with Anese Eun Cho

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anese Eun Cho.

Hi Anese Eun, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always felt that creating art is a natural instinct. Actually, I often think of it as almost a birth defect in the best way. We all begin as creative beings, but while many lose that creativity with time, mine never left. I can’t breathe easily without creating. As a child, I drew constantly, whether in sketchbooks or even in the dirt with a stick.

Growing up, my path wasn’t linear. I moved around almost every year or two, always searching for that feeling of home. Meanwhile, I worked with materials like wood and metal, which gave me a sense of structure and space. Even then, I kept sketching, carrying those sketchbooks through every phase.

Eventually, I returned to art with intention. My experiences, both difficult and meaningful, shaped what I wanted to express. I became obsessed with the simple shape of a house, a universal symbol of safety and home. Art became my way of creating that sense of refuge. That’s how my work evolved into installations, like Lighthouse, which explore emotional spaces and protection. Today, what began as an instinct has grown into public works, but at the core, I’m still searching, evolving, and creating to feel at home and to help others feel it too.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been easy. As a single mom balancing other jobs, I’ve had to push through a lot of practical challenges. On top of that, my family—especially my parents—still don’t fully understand why I put so much time, money, and energy into art. They don’t see immediate rewards. It’s been an uphill battle in that sense. But despite all of that, the fulfillment I feel—the reward in my heart—makes those obstacles worth it. That’s why I keep going.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Ah, I see what you mean! No problem at all. Let’s keep the focus on your work and what you’re proud of, without revisiting the single mom struggle. Here’s a revised version:

I describe myself as a multidisciplinary and conceptual artist, best known for my light-based installations, especially the Lighthouse series. I create minimalist architectural forms illuminated by light, offering a space of refuge and safety—especially for those who grew up without one. Alongside Lighthouse, I also created the Second Floor series, which is a deeply personal exploration of a childhood escape—an imaginative space where I first felt limitless.

What I’m most proud of is how these works create a shared emotional space. Seeing my concepts move from personal sketches into large-scale installations is a huge reward. My background in building gives me a unique lens—I consider not just what people see, but how they feel in the space, how the light guides them. Each piece, for me, is a meeting place—where personal memory, universal feeling, and architectural form all come together.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
For me, risk-taking is woven into every day—it’s like a rhythm I move with as an artist. But I don’t see it as reckless; I never risk the ground beneath me. My risks are more like a dancer’s leap—they come from a place of trust in the next step, even if I can’t see exactly where it lands. I take leaps in my creative work—sometimes with new materials, new places, or new concepts—always with the knowledge that, as long as I have a roof and a way to keep creating, I can afford to go further. For me, each risk is a step toward an unknown but vital creative freedom.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aneseart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anese_art/

Image Credits
Anese Eun Cho