Artist Statement

 

My artwork is a meditative practice where I work to improve my self as a means of serving others. Connecting deeper with self to connect deeper with people and the planet. I strive to find dynamic balance through organic yet deliberate mark making on carefully considered materials to contemplate the paradox of creation and consumption, explore my heritage, and make a positive impact in this complex world with a signature visual language that is refined, distilled, and sharpened with each painting made. 

 

I believe that by focusing on my breath, brush, and thoughts, I can help change the world through the numerous tangible choices I make on a daily basis. I believe becoming a strong individual is the first step in being part of a healthy community, and the sum of small actions can lead to meaningful change. 

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My process of mark making reveals the truth that we are all connected. We are all different, yet we are also the same. We are all mark makers sharing the same place, no one better or more important than another, all essential to society. We all impact people and the planet whether we know it or not through the choices we make in our daily lives. This truth is often too close for us to see, and so my inward journey is an effort to serve others with a life long practice.

 

I have come to the sobering realization that in order to create, you must destroy. For this reason, I describe much of my work as Modern Vandalism: the mindful act of destroying materials, objects, and/or space in an effort to create value. With this ethos, I see products, and all things that are made having a life and death. With this in mind, I believe there is a great responsibility in how we create and consume during our lifetimes no matter how inconsequential they may seem to be. 

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Each work of art I create is like the breath we take. Each one unique, each one the same, each and every one essential. Simply put, when you stop breathing, you die. Mindful breath can transform your life.

 

My artworks are my entire self, paintings are singular moments but they are all part of my body of work that slowly evolves over time. Engraved in each work are the experiences and influences of my past often made with techniques that honor thousands of years of Korean art and craft. The more I observe and reflect on my practice, the more this truth becomes evident. Things that I create connect to my past, and things made today affect what I'll make tomorrow. This shared timeline of creation helps me understand that I'm not creating anything new, that things created before me will influence things created after me. 

 

It pains me that I may never be able to an expert in craft like my ancestor Han Seok-bong (master calligrapher for the Joseon royal court), live in harmony with nature like a monk (because I choose to live and participate in the modern world), or be altruistic as I'm a human being. But my life and work are one. They are imperfect, full of flaws, and yet represent my best effort to make progress with the one life I have to give.

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For a deeper understanding of my practice, read My Story

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Artist Bio

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Mike was born in Ann Arbor, MI to Korean immigrants. His mother landed in Detroit's Cass Corridor and his father in Ypsilanti, both during the early 70's. Mike is a Cheongju Han, also referred to as "House of Han", a noble Korean family (yangban) with royal ancestry (there were 6 queens in the Han lineage, the most of any Korean family name). 

 

Mike has exhibited artwork in LA, Seoul, Detroit, and Miami. He has created work for clients in NYC, Chicago, and Osaka. Han has been commissioned to make art in Florence, Italy for Pitti Uomo, Bloomingdale's 150th Anniversary in their iconic windows, Shinola's flagship store, the Detroit Pistons, Google for Startups, Ford Motor Co., Fiat, LinkedIn, Somerset Collection, and has also created art installations for Red Bull, vitaminwater, and ArtPrize.

 

Han has had paintings acquired by Mercedes Benz Financial Services, Huntington Bank, Henry Ford Health Systems, Shinola Hotel, The Daxton Hotel, and Paramount Pictures for use in a a feature film. He has collaborated with brands like Carhartt, MarxModa (on MillerKnoll products), Model No. Furniture, SEE Eyewear, Coffeehaus, Leon Speakers, Mothfire Beer, and Synecdoche Design.

 

​Mike has made the front page of the Detroit News and the cover of SEEN Magazine, has been featured on BBC World News, Dwell, Cool Hunting, designboom, Architecture's Digest, World of Interiors, Apartment Therapy, Design Milk, Cultured Mag, Urban Outfitters Blog, Detroit Home, Live in the D, and the Detroit Free Press.

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Mike has been an awards juror for ArtPrize, Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (The Original), as well as The CSCA's Creative Best Awards. Han was the recipient of a Red Bull Micro Grant and an Art Prize Equity Grant.

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Since 2021, Han has helped raise over $350,000 for charitable causes in his effort to make a positive impact with his artistic practice connecting his artwork tangibly with the purpose that drives him to create. Mike was the keynote speaker for the 2023 APACC Detroit Gala, was a guest speaker for Strategic Staffing Solution's all hands meeting and was featured on the popular podcast The Good Life Project.

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Tum Tum

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My cat Tum Tum, aka tummy tum, aka chubby chub is a certified emotional support animal and serves as my primary mental health care provider. Tum has FIV (feline AIDS), one squished little ear, and was adopted from the Michigan Humane Society when he was 8 years old and he needs all the attention. 

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Update: Tum Tum has passed on 11/11/24, just shy of his 14th birthday. Rest in peace bud. I love more than anything :(