Introducing Visual Artist Kwon Woo Koh

Introducing Kwon Woo Koh, a multidisciplinary creative with talents within the photography, videography and creative direction industries. With his introduction to the creative space through photography initially, he has been marked as an industry riser as he now resides in New York City as the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Aspx Group, a company that innovates the traditional practices of creative development and supporting other creatives in different mediums.

As a South Korean native, adjusting to the American way of life and culture had its own setbacks. With some of his inspirations coming from schoolteachers, fashion, and art, he went on to have his work featured in an IB Excellence in Visual Arts in 2023 and went on to pursue a photography major with his photographic style an amalgamation of intimate portraiture and fashion photography.

Following a natural pathway into video direction, he has showcased his ideas for different artists in long-form and short-form content and is striving to discover new mediums as well as build up his own portfolio and collaborators. 

What inspired you to take up photography?

Initially, photography was just a fun hobby I picked up in early high school. I would take pictures of friends on my disposable film camera, as well as volunteering in concert photography for local artists. Though, what inspired me to take photography seriously was a photographer my high school teacher Ms. Palermo introduced me to, Lorna Simpson. I came to grasp that photography is not only a form of documentation, but also a way we can communicate narratives of our imagination in reality. 

Did you find it difficult to adjust to life in the US as a boarding student?

In the early days, I definitely found it difficult to adjust to the contrast in cultures, the obvious language barrier and American norms being introduced to me. Originally hailing from a small island in South Korea, I was more focused on collecting new experiences and learning my way through them. Everything was new and understandably foreign, which I grew to appreciate and engage with, personally and creatively. I believe there are few things more powerful for an artist than new challenges and sights that get our minds working in the right ways. That was really the turning point, with all the chaos and fear of the move, I was able to settle in and feel secure within my art.

Who are your main inspirations when it comes to photography and fashion?

As is well documented, there is a strong intersection between the two mediums, which I think late designer Alexander McQueen successfully reflects in his work. I appreciate how he is able to create a strong visual identity of different concepts conspired in each of his unique collections. McQueen was able to do so in a way which felt both fictional but tangible for the extraordinary craftsmanship of his designs. I admire how he creates a universe of characters, environments and atmospheres which are apparent in his collections as a whole. McQueen does this with confidence and spirit, making it feel alive. His work survives his body in a way all artists can aspire. 

Do you find it hard to find inspiration sometimes? or run into mind blocks?

As much as I want to admit that I do run into mind blocks, I don’t. At times, I can feel lost or uninspired, but yet my impulse to create and produce overruns this feeling. I combat this by picking up ideas I’ve had but never put into fruition; fusing more recent inspirations to develop the idea further. I seem to find inspiration from the smallest things a non-creative may skim past; from the way the clouds are moving one day, to patterns and textures I see on the ground. That being said, even though I may not encounter mental blocks, sometimes I think my work sucks, but I keep creating. That is really my core belief, keep creating, no matter how strong a feeling or idea is, just try it.

What led you to move into video direction?

The events which led up to my role now as a video director will forever be ingrained in my story trajectory as a visual artist. A friend of mine who wanted to start a creative development company had asked me for help in developing the outward presence of his first musician, entailing help with styling, creative direction and social media. When the time came to do our first music video, we were unable to find a director within budget, eventually leading me to take a brave step and say, “Screw it, I’ll do it”, as I shot it on my iPhone. From there, I started to learn more about all aspects of videography, developing my skills in video editing, the preparatory process and directional presence on set. Fast forward two years, and we’ve done dozens of videos, each uniquely positioned stylistically, challenging me in so many different ways.  

Who would you love to work on set with one day?

If I had to narrow it down to one, I would say Miuccia Prada. She has long inspired me in the way she visually communicates her concepts in her designs and overall branding. I would love to learn how she approaches her multi-aspected work, from design, styling, documentation and representation.