Whilst at ECA, Daphne developed her practice particularly in projection mapping which she exhibited at Talbot Rice Gallery here in Edinburgh. Since graduating, Daphne has gone on to win prizes such as the RSA Keith prize and has completed research trips in Italy.

Now, Daphne exhibits internationally and has had success in shows at The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea as well as the Royal Scottish Academy of Art.

Why ECA?

When I began my master's programme, Edinburgh was honestly an unfamiliar city to me. While considering various schools in the UK, I became interested in Edinburgh based on a strong recommendation from a British director I had worked with. The school's robust curriculum, facilities, and the artistic inspiration provided by the city itself led me to choose Edinburgh. 

The fact that the University of Edinburgh is a comprehensive university was also a significant advantage for me, as it offered opportunities for diverse experiences and crossovers. Additionally, the location provided the advantage of accessing various art scenes and experiences within the UK.

Of course, there was no reason not to choose a school that boasts a long history and tradition and has produced numerous outstanding talents. It was a time that perfectly fulfilled all of those aspects.

Tell us about your time at ECA

My ECA Sculpture Court Solo Exhibition, <Karma>, was born from the captivating scenery that inspired a projection mapping project. Despite challenges, collaborative efforts with Contemporary Art Practice tutors led to a successful solo exhibition. Training in Torsten Lauschmann's mapping tutoring, explained by Head tutor John Beagles, played a crucial role. Overcoming obstacles, including school approval and intense lighting, laid the foundation for my site-specific projection mapping studies, adding a new dimension to my academic journey at ECA.

Participating in Talbot Rice Gallery - Trading Zone at ECA was another significant achievement. The exceptional attitude and support from Talbot Rice Gallery surpassed that of any museum, creating illusions of entering different buildings with each exhibition. Discussions with James Clegg resulted in showcasing the next version of my work, <BABEL - The Golden Boy>, leading to numerous exhibitions, awards, Google Art & Culture archive, and a permanent display at The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea - MMCA Art Bank (2020).

My participation in the RSA 193rd Annual Exhibition in November 2019 was a grateful opportunity. <BABEL - Modern Human Hierarchy> earned me the RSA Keith Prize, providing significant encouragement. Exhibiting in the historic venue of the RSA was exhilarating, with indelible memories of meeting RSA leaders, witnessing the banner unfurling, and receiving greetings, making the experience remarkable.

While not every moment at ECA was perfect, I can say I spent regret-free time there. If given the chance to start over, I would make the same choices and continue my studies. However, one regret is not being able to have a graduation exhibition and ceremony at McEwan Hall due to COVID-19. If given the opportunity, I would like to experience both a graduation ceremony and an exhibition at ECA.

Tell us about your experiences since graduating

When leaving ECA and Edinburgh, the school closed due to COVID-19. I had to return to Korea without sorting my studio, saying goodbye to fellow students. It was disheartening and separate from the training during my master's. Perhaps I had expected various opportunities, but circumstances were unfavourable. Nevertheless, everyone made efforts to navigate the situation. After going through the preparation process via numerous online shows and interviews in 2020, I am currently active as an international media artist.

As mentioned earlier, I was active as an artist before my ECA master's, and the programme significantly expanded my artistic realm. The diverse and rich working environment at ECA, along with excellent tutors supporting students through conversations, proved invaluable. Ample personal tutorial time and expansive working spaces contributed not only to my development but also to the advancement of fellow students. This time allowed me to lay the foundation for various ongoing projects, including public art, cultural heritage, projection mapping, facades, and site-specific endeavours.

Above all, the significant change in my life after ECA is the remarkable achievements and growth as an artist. I am internationally active as a media artist, continuing to engage in various large-scale exhibitions and projects after graduation. Additionally, I teach new media art as a lecturer at Cahon University in Korea.

In 2020, the solo exhibition "Babel – Uncivilizations" unveiled a new vision of Art and Technology at Obscura Gallery. It marked the largest-scale and first-sponsored hologram hypermedia art exhibition by the distributor of New Media Hologram HyperVision in Korea. 

In 2022, I was selected for the Paradise Art Lab (sponsored by Paradise Group) and garnered huge attention for my large-scale media façade work in South Korea. I further expanded into public art by showcasing media façade works at Suwon Hwaseong, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

In 2022, I successfully completed a research trip in Florence, Italy, awarded the 2020 John Kinross Scholarship of the Royal Scottish Academy, with tremendous support from the Korean Culture and Arts Foundation and RSA. Recently (2023), my work <Uncanny Nature>, produced based on the RSA research trip, has been selected for the "UnfoldX" project—an art and tech exhibition organized by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. This project led to a show titled <The Way Station to the Moon> at Unfold X, Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture’s Arts & Tech Centre, as part of the SFAC 2nd Seoul Arts & Tech Festival. The exhibition took place at Culture Seoul Station Seoul 284, recognized as a cultural asset. Plus, the scale of this exhibition was quite extensive. The show collaborated with European institutions, including ZKM and (HEK) in Switzerland, as well as Canadian organizations like ELEKTRA and the Nam June Paik Art Center.

Last but not least, I am actively participating in several projects, including Incheon International Airport and KIAF Seoul.

Alumni wisdom

While it may sound cliché, make sure to thoroughly enjoy the present moment, both at ECA and in Edinburgh! ECA offers fantastic facilities and excellent tutors for training in various art fields before venturing into the world as an artist. Keep moving diligently and embrace every experience! Now, the post-graduation landscape may present challenges, but all of you who have thoroughly enjoyed the experiences at ECA are well-prepared individuals, ready for immeasurable growth. Have courage, believe in yourself, and pursue your path without regrets. Show yourself!