By Honorary Reporter Sunaina Khan from Pakistan
Photos = Kate Oh Trabulsi

Kate Oh Trabulsi is a Korean American artist who promotes minhwa (folk art) to the world.

Her works have been featured at 16 solo exhibitions and 65 group shows worldwide and received awards. The following are excerpts from an email interview with the artist from Dec. 9-19. 

Briefly introduce yourself.

I'm an artist based in New York with a bachelor's and master's in fine arts from Parsons School of Design. I'm a member of the National Association of Women Artists and will become president of the Korean-New York Artist Association in 2025. I founded Kate Oh Gallery in 2016 and have taught minhwa at Rutgers University since 2021. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in art?

Since 2004, I've been a docent for the Highlights Tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where my exposure to the museum's Asian art collection, particularly Korean folk art, inspired deep appreciation for Asian fine arts. This led me to focus on minhwa (folk painting), exploring both traditional and contemporary practices. The cultural richness and storytelling within minhwa deeply resonated with me, becoming central to my work.

Why focus on minhwa?
Having lived in the U.S. for over 30 years, I was immersed in Western art but often felt deep nostalgia for Korea. This inspired me to promote traditional Korean culture, particularly through minhwa, which reflects Korea's history, humor and symbolism.

What has been the most memorable moment in your art journey?
It was when I began teaching minhwa at my gallery. At Rutgers University, I organized end-of-semester exhibitions at my gallery featuring student works displayed alongside professional minhwa pieces. The event allows attendees to try on Hanbok (traditional clothing), sample Korean food, and see traditional Korean music and dance.

How did you set up your gallery?
The journey to opening Kate Oh Gallery began in 2016, when I converted my living room into a space to display my works. Over time, I invited other artists to exhibit their pieces, and the space gradually evolved into a formal gallery. One of my ongoing goals is to organize exhibitions abroad to promote Korean culture and its unique artistic traditions to a global audience.

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*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.