2023 Theses Doctoral

How Different Cultural and Educational Experiences Influence the Development of Visual Representations

Kim, Sunggue

This visual and narrative-based qualitative research examined the specific cultural journeys of eight Korean contemporary artists as well as their meaning-making processes reflected in their art and growth of cultural perception. The data primarily consisted of interview descriptions that surrounded the participants’ lived experiences in South Korea or the United States, namely their cultural and educational influences represented in their artistic identity and artworks.

To examine their personal and artistic growth, Kegan’s theory of adult meaning- making and Mezirow’s transformative learning development theory informed the reasoning behind the participants’ transition between their past and present encounters. The research findings supported a host of literature regarding the influence of cultural changes and challenges in the individual development process of Korean contemporary artists in both South Korea and the United States.

A discussion was also presented to highlight how the artist participants who studied abroad developed opportunities for growth through their artwork and navigation of new cultural environments in the United States. This research provides art educators and artists with concepts to best confront cultural and educational issues that emerge in the art classroom and the art world, specifically the impact these interventions can make on cross-cultural learners.