Lauren Pippin

My name is Lauren Pippin. I have been doing art for as long as I can remember and have taken it as an elective ever since elementary school. This past year, I created works based on my inquiry question: How does Korean culture and traditions influence my view on my heritage and connection to my family, and how can I teach others about Korean culture? I am half White and half South Korean. I spent most of my life struggling to really accept and connect with my Asian half, surrounded in a society that favors the White side more. Over the past couple of years, I have slowly come to terms with being mixed, and I decided to explore it through my art. In many of my pieces I focused on traditional clothing, food, buildings in Korea, and family to convey my inquiry. I wanted to explore what parts of my culture I enjoy and love to show and teach others about specific aspects of Korean culture. I aimed to be more on the realism side so I could convey authentic cultural details. For example, one of my artworks is of two money pouches called bokjumeoni. They show a tradition of getting pocket money from your elders after you wish them a happy new year and complete a traditional bow.