"My practice explores the collective trauma derived from experiences of war and colonialism, hidden within our collective identity, through a feminist and diasporic lens. By using images of the naked female body, I aim to recreate metaphorical depictions of the sorrowful legacy inherited from previous generations. Traumas from colonial oppression, state violence, and misogynistic cultures are deeply embedded in the genes of our grandparents, passed down to our parents, and then to us. This tragic heritage is intricately woven into our collective identity, serving as the backdrop for our individual identities." - Heeyoung Noh

"Drawing from this concept, I reveal the traces of trauma embedded in our collective consciousness. Over the past century, the Korean Peninsula has endured Japanese colonization, the Korean War, ethnic division, and prolonged periods of state violence. These traumas, despite their historical distance, are deeply rooted in my daily life. In my work, women are depicted with skin scorched by hot bath water, set against the humid and damp atmosphere of the bathroom. This environment symbolizes the persistent legacy of a sorrowful past, akin to a dampness that never dries." - Heeyoung Noh

"I recently started to explore the vanished stories of relationships between mothers and daughters in the past generation through the feminist lens. This painting , depicting two women—one middle-aged and the other elderly—bathing together and holding hands, challenges typical representations of mother-daughter relationships, often shown as a young girl and a thirty-something woman. By focusing on a middle-aged daughter and her elderly mother, I aimed to highlight the collective and historical trauma inflicted by the state and patriarchal power." - Heeyoung Noh