Ten years ago, LACMA presented Unexpected Light: Works by Young-Il Ahn, the museum’s first solo exhibition by a Korean American artist. The show focused on Ahn’s Water series, several hundred paintings inspired by Ahn’s experience being lost on the Pacific Ocean in an impenetrable fog, and the ever-shifting appearance of the water when the fog cleared.
Water S-397 (1997) from the Water series is now on view in the David Geffen Galleries, where Ahn’s wife, Soraya, was able to see her late husband’s work in an entirely new context. Inspired by her visit and the spirit of the Geffen Galleries, Soraya Ahn made a leadership gift to the LACMA Fund to further the museum’s work and service to the community.
We recently spoke to Ahn recently about her experience in the Geffen Galleries and her generosity to LACMA.
What was it like for you to see Young-Il’s work installed in the new galleries for the first time?
Soraya Ahn: It was emotional seeing the painting installed. I knew that Young-Il would have been tremendously moved and honored! I remembered the joy he felt at being the first Korean American artist to be given a solo exhibition at LACMA, and this would have been equally important. I am very happy to be able to share Young-Il's work with everyone, but especially younger Korean Americans who are being introduced to his name and work for the first time.
What do you hope audiences will continue discovering about Young-Il Ahn’s work years from now?
SA: I hope audiences will marvel at his use of color and the enormous discipline of his work. To be able to paint and create was the most important purpose and joy of his life, and I know that will come across. Like many immigrants, he truly loved America, particularly California, and searched for ways to express that. I hope audiences will think of him as a Korean, an American, and a Californian.
What connections do you hope Korean and Korean American audiences will experience here?
SA: I hope that all, not just Koreans, will be drawn to LACMA and feel the effort to bring artists together in a less hierarchical setting. That is bound to help bring about more positivity and creativity. People who share Korean ancestry will feel prouder of their culture and, hopefully, inspired!
What motivated you to support the LACMA Fund at a leadership level?
SA: Being part of the new building was very important to me. I was fortunate to attend one of the talks by Michael Govan, and did some research of my own into Peter Zumthor and his concepts for the building. I was excited about the groundbreaking design, which would change the way people view art and artists. In this age of computers and AI, not to mention conflicts around the world, a more humanistic approach felt crucial. And of course, I knew that if he were still alive, Young-Il would have been excited to be a part of it.
How do you hope your leadership encourages others?
SA: I hope seeing someone like me participate in institutions like LACMA will inspire others to come visit, see art, and participate in any way.
Contributions to the LACMA Fund ensure that art continues to thrive in Los Angeles. Make a gift today!
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.