Lee Se Yoon entered the classroom, her cupped hands spilling over with violet jacaranda blossoms. She piled them on the table, greeted me warmly and went to look for a translator for our interview. Meanwhile, I waited in the classroom surrounded by the students each with banners of white paper, blocks of dye, and longhaired paintbrushes. Two months ago Lee Se Yoon, originally from Seoul, the capital of South Korea, began a course at the Korean Cultural Centre teaching Sumi E, an ancient form of brush painting that developed in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907) in Zen temples and monasteries.
When did you first come to Buenos Aires?
I moved here in 1995, 13 years ago.
Why did you move to Buenos Aires?
I was told that Argentina was a big country, where milk and honey flowed freely, that there was a lot of possibilities and richness here. I came with the expectation of fulfilling my dreams.
What were your dreams?
I wanted to be a pioneer of the Sumi E technique and I wanted recognition for painting in this specific style.
When did you start painting?
When I was a child. I always liked to draw. I started with comics but my parents forbade it. When I married at 28 I started painting in the Sumi E technique.
If you could master another art form what would it be?
Traditional Korean music because I feel it in my heart.
How long have you been teaching?
At the cultural centre I began the Sumi E course just two months ago. I like to be able to teach others to draw.
What else do you do?
I also have a store, Carabobo 1159. I buy and sell antiques, collectibles, and some times I have things brought over from Korea. I have a workshop there where I also teach.
What is your favourite colour?
Did you see the blocks of dye we use to paint with? Well, those are called ‘mok’, they are black and I love that colour because from it I can generate so many different shades of grey. The entire spectrum from that one colour is my favourite.
What is your favourite place in Buenos Aires?
San Telmo and Puerto Madero. In Puerto Madero I feel like I am in a mother’s embrace.
What is your favourite food in Buenos Aires?
Spaghetti with bolognese sauce.
One of your favourite things to do in the city?
Every Tuesday I go to a different art museum before my class, for inspiration. Today I went to the Palais de Glace.
If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
I would go to the US because there is so much modern art there that I’d like to see. I would like to be there because I could produce a new style, mixing modern and traditional techniques, they are more open in the US to new things; they are not so conservative or traditional.
Do you miss your country?
No, not so much. Of course I miss my family. My parents and son are there but since I know I can go back whenever I want I don’t miss it that much. Before, I really missed not being able to see what was going on in the art scene in Korea, but now with internet I can stay connected. My sister is also an artist in Korea and she influences me a lot.
What has been the most difficult difference between Argentine and Korean culture to overcome?
I never had any real problems, until now (during the interview we had a translator). Language can be a problem but luckily the majority of people that I encounter, we can communicate on a different level, a spiritual level and language isn’t that much of a barrier.
Are you going to stay in Buenos Aires?
I plan on staying. I’ll travel around maybe, but I am very happy here.