ARTIST CIRCLE
‘Artist Circle’ is a residency program by Mangrove designed to support contemporary creators. It offers living spaces and a vibrant community to artists from diverse fields, including illustration, crafts, music, and comics. In 2021, four artists came together in Seoul to shared creative moments at Mangrove, inspiring one another through their work. Here’s a glimpse into their fascinating lives at Mangrove – Korea’s largest co-living space – alongside snapshots of their free-spirited daily lives captured on film.
As a craft artist inspired by the forest, Lilac holds the time she spent surrounded by green close to her heart. “I once lived in a forest for a month. It was part of an Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) program, where I got to experience a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature. You have to split logs for firewood, make food from scratch, and fetch water with a bicycle water pump that’s powered by pedaling. The friends I met there used to wear handmade crochet bralettes. Seeing them dive into the creek in between work in just those bralettes was such a liberating and freeing moment. And it completely shattered my previous notions of what bras could and ought to be.”
Upon returning from the forest, she channeled those memories into creating her own crochet bralettes and jewelry. One thing led to another, and what started as a personal craft soon blossomed into a brand called Soul Bottari (Soul Bundle). Room #1411 at Mangrove, nestled at the end of a hallway with a square-framed window, feels like a sanctuary of nature. Smooth pebbles, earthy incense sticks, lush green plants, and calming aromas greet visitors, transforming her space into a small haven where she keeps her dearest companions from nature close.
I believe the role of an artist is to embrace diversity and remind the world of its endless array of colors.
Q. From crafts and music to writing and drawing, would you say you express yourself though creation?
When I teach art, I often meet people worried about whether they’ve ‘done it right,’ I always tell them that art is inherently diverse and doesn’t have a single right answer. I believe the role of an artist is to embrace diversity and remind the world of its endless array of colors. Especially as an artist trying to open up discussions about social change, I feel that living such a life authentically, starting with myself, is itself a form of art.
Q. The way you smile gives off such a peaceful vibe. Do you ever feel fear?
I’m not always calm and composed, of course. Maintaining peace is ultimately a practice – something I have to work on, just like everyone else. My greatest fear is not being able to love. I believe we come into this world through love and return to it, so not being able to love feels like the biggest burden. I hold the phrase “despite the fear” close to my heart because there’s so much in the world that frightens me, but I strive to be someone who can rise above it.
Q. Even the candle you placed on the hallway window ledge reflects your spirit.
Home is where I recharge and find inspiration. So I decorated my space with objects from past exhibitions, candles, and incense sticks. I love the scent of nature, so I often use aroma oils to fill the room with a soothing fragrance that welcomes me home. I’ve also kept dreamcatchers, candles, artwork, and letters from friends to remember them. Along with stones, shells, and plants from nature, my room has many small connections to the outside world.
These gentle, organic connections in the city felt both refreshing and heartwarming.
Q. What impression has Mangrove left on you as a home?
When I first heard it was a newly built, 20-story high-rise, I didn’t expect it to feel homey. But I soon realized how meaningful the connections forming within were, and also learned that Mangrove embraces values like mindfulness and environmental sustainability. I had to confront and acknowledge my own biases. Living at Mangrove, I found myself greeting fellow residents in the elevator, making friends while cooking in the kitchen, and joining or hosting small gatherings with like-minded people. Being able to nurture these gentle, organic connections in the city felt refreshing and heartwarming.
Q. Have you made any interesting discoveries at Mangrove?
When my friends came over, we went up to the 20th floor rooftop to take some photos. And there, I noticed rosemary bushes growing among the reeds. I love rosemary oil, so finding them was such a delightful surprise. Breathing in the fresh rosemary scent while taking in the open rooftop view, I felt as if my entire being was recharged, down to the core. Oh, and the tteokbokki cart near Mangrove is absolutely amazing!
Q. How has your experience been living at Mangrove, a space designed for its residents to live and grow?
I feel like Mangrove has really made the most of each space. Since moving here, I’ve been more productive than ever. When I work, I value focus and efficiency, and Mangrove offers spaces tailored for that – the Work Station for deep focus, the Library for inspiration and resources, and the rooftop to refresh with views of the mountains and sky. It’s incredibly convenient to have all of that in one building. Most importantly, I believe sustaining creativity requires taking good care of both body and mind, and the availability of the Flex Room and Relax Room helped me prioritize my well-being.
If it weren’t for Mangrove, connecting with so many friends wouldn’t have been easy.
Q. What moments stood out during your two-month stay in a co-living space?
One memorable moment would be joining the Jupging Club, where we walked around Sinseol-dong for an hour picking up trash. It was disheartening to see so much litter but also fulfilling to help clean up the planet together.
Another time, I needed to make an introduction video but had no idea where to begin. I was pretty lost, but Chloe from Mangrove’s team and my international friend Johan stepped in to help. We managed to film and make the entire video in just one day – it felt like a miracle! If it hadn’t been for Mangrove, where connecting with people with diverse skills and interests is so easy, I don’t think I could have finished it that quickly. I want to take this chance to thank them again.
Q. You also hosted a Mangrove Social Club event themed “Rituals from the Forest.”
Preparing for the program gave me a chance to reflect on my time in the forest and reaffirm how much strength and inspiration I still draw form that experience. And talking about rituals also reminded that life is shaped by small yet purposeful daily habits. If lessons like these that I’ve picked up along the way can be helpful, I’d love to keep sharing them.
Someone once told me that even the smallest acts can change the world, when done with sincerity and heart.
Q. What messages do you convey through your art?
I want to share stories about different kinds of bodies. Especially for women, who often grow up constrained by uncomfortable underwear and rarely get the chance to openly talk about their bodies. I hope for more awareness and understanding of our physical selves. My work is rooted in the wish for everyone to feel comfortable and genuinely happy. I’d love to keep creating objects and jewelry inspired by the forest, capturing its natural essence and vitality.
Q. Any recent resolutions?
At the start of November, I wrote down my motto for the month on my calendar, which was “Put sincerity into the little things.” Someone once told me that even the smallest acts, when done with sincerity and heart, can change the world. We often think it takes a grand gesture to make a difference, but that’s not true. I want to be someone who treasures even the smallest things.
©Lilac
Find more about Mangrove Sinseol
Written by | Dabomi Shin
Photos by | Seokhyeon Lee, Lilac
