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.
Logan, a cartoonist from New York, infused Mangrove’s Artist Circle program with his vibrant energy, transforming it into a lively and dynamic community. Weekly parties filled the communal kitchen and rooftop with lively conversation and laughter that seemed to follow him wherever he went. “Just like when I first set foot in New York, every alley and crosswalk here felt new and exciting. Living at Mangrove gave me countless opportunities to meet new people, sparking endless inspiration,” Logan shared.
As the program drew to a close, Logan handed over a well-worn notebook, its pages softened by all the hands that had held it before, and invited others to draw him. This gesture – his wish to not only document life through art but also to be remembered through it – perfectly captured his identify as an artist. As each person took turns sketching him, the moment itself turned into a cheerful cartoon that everyone would cherish.
Pursuing the life of an artist, which everyone says is so challenging, makes me realize I’m something of a romantic, I suppose.
Q. Your wits and cheerfulness seem to come through in your cartoons.
I think it’s because I’m always trying to figure out how to make things more fun and engaging – something that can spark curiosity in the reader. Sometimes, as I go about my day, I’ll have this gut feeling, “What just happened now would be hilarious as a cartoon!” But there are also funny moments where, if I drew them exactly as they happened, they’d feel too plain, like just any other diary entry. Then again, there are times when that simplicity has its own charm, so I leave the cartoon be without adding too much artistic embellishment or exaggeration.
Q. How was your work in Seoul different from your work in New York?
My basic daily routine – balancing work, meals, and exercise – has remained largely the same. Since my work can be done entirely from my room, the extent to which my surroundings actually have an impact is more about the mindset. That said, living at Mangrove has provided far more opportunities to meet new people, which has been an incredible source of ideas.
Q. As a New York-based artist, Sinseol-dong must have felt unfamiliar. What was your impression of the neighborhood?
It’s been four years since I last visited Korea, so every alley and crosswalk here felt new and unfamiliar. I was impressed by the neighborhood’s convenience – everything I needed was close by, which made day-to-day life much easier. I usually enjoy collecting souvenirs or quirky little items when I’m out travelling, but I’ve been trying to hold back this time to avoid overloading my luggage for when I return to New York.
Q. Your room doesn’t look much like an artist’s studio – it could pass as a fitness enthusiast’s space.
Yeah, everyone gets surprised by the amount of food and supplements I have stocked in my fridge and cabinets. On my desk, though, you’ll always find a laptop, a drawing tablet, a sketchbook, and pencil case for jotting down quick ideas and basic sketches. Music is a big part of my creative process, so I keep a speaker nearby. While I’m not that into interior design, I do have dumbbells I bought from a street vendor in Sinseol-dong and a small collection of comic books I picked up at a secondhand bookstore.
Meeting and learning about a diverse mix of people is a source of inspiration in itself.
Q. You joined the Artist Circle program through a referral.
A friend referred me to Mangrove, and I was immediately curious and excited to learn more about it. Now that I’ve actually lived here, I know that it’s a home that accommodates people of all kinds – whether you value privacy or enjoy socializing, regardless of nationality or background. It’s a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in their own way.
Q. We’ve heard you spent almost as much time in the Flex Room as in your own room. What role does your daily workout play in your life?
The Flex Room quickly became my second most-used space in Mangrove after my room. I loved that it was fully equipped for basic workouts, so I didn’t have to look for a gym elsewhere. I always try to hold myself accountable to my goals, no matter how small, and working out is a commitment I made to myself. Staying consistent with exercise is my way of reinforcing self-discipline and self-respect. I feel like if I can’t dedicate even two hours a day to something I truly enjoy, it’d be hard to feel confident in myself.
Q. And it looks like you’ve become quite popular on the 14th floor!
Since the communal kitchen is close by, I’d often cook meals there and naturally meet new people. Even brief encounters add up and seeing someone a few times makes it so much easier to strike up a chat later on. I usually hang out with international friends or join group gatherings because I love talking with people with such diverse backgrounds.
Q. Would you say meeting new people has been a source of inspiration for your work?
Absolutely. Since I mostly draw cartoons about everyday life, I’m always open to meeting new people and experiencing a lot of firsts. It’s not just about getting ideas for my cartoons – it’s about learning from people with different lifestyles, backgrounds, personalities, and occupations. Just talking to them and getting to know their stories is inspiring in itself. I highly recommend joining the small get-togethers hosted by residents or striking up conversations in shared spaces like the kitchen. At Mangrove, discovering people who share your tastes and lifestyle is part of the fun.
I have dumbbells I bought from a street vendor in Sinseol-dong and a small collection of comic books from a secondhand bookstore.
Q. Why do you prefer producing cartoons in black and white rather than in color?
When I was young, I wasn’t even aware that weekly comics magazines existed that I would wait a month or two for bound volumes to be released and rush to read them at the bookstore. Most of the comics I loved back then were in black and white. Part of the magic was imagining the colors of the characters’ hair, clothes, buildings, and animals as I read. Adding color to cartoons, I feel, limits the space for readers to imagine for themselves. That said, I do use color when it’s needed or when I think it helps me convey something specific to the reader.
Q. I’m amazed by how effortless you seem when creating art, without using complicated tools.
What I’d really love to do is draw comics on paper using just a pen nib and ink. But realistically, the time and effort it takes to create and revise work that way is so much greater that I’ve had to compromise a little by working digitally. Still, I focus on creating art that’s genuine and decent without relying on some fancy tools. My ultimate goal is to make the whole process enjoyable – not just for me while drawing, but also for the people who view it. I want to keep creating art that stands the test of time, something I can look back on years later with pride, not embarrassment.
I want to create art that stands the test of time, something I can look back on years later with pride.
Q. What’s the most cartoonish or memorable episode you’ve experienced at Mangrove?
It would have to be celebrating Pepero Day for the first time in 12 years since I came to Korea. Early one morning, I went to a convenience store to buy Pepero for all the women at Mangrove who had helped me and become close friends. I even took the time to write them handwritten notes and helped another friend of mine translate his letters. The entire scene felt like it came straight out of a romantic comedy cartoon.
Q. We heard you hosted a party and even created hand-drawn posters to invite people.
Yup, I hosted my first get-together on a Friday evening during Halloween weekend. I was nervous that no one would show up, but plenty of them stopped by! The rooftop on the 20th floor was full, and even after we moved down to the communal kitchen, people kept coming and going. I ended up meeting and chatting with over ten residents that night. I might have been a bit of a clumsy host, but the community vibe of the co-living environment made it so easy to meet new people and have a great time together.
Q. If you could choose one hero who inspires you the most, who would it be and why?
My hero would be All Might, a character from the manga My Hero Academia. He has this incredible presence that brings people peace, joy, and a sense of security. While I can’t literally save people from villains like he does, I always want to live in a way that brings smiles and comfort to those who feel they’re missing joy or peace in their lives.
©Logan
Find more about Mangrove Sinseol
Written by | Dabomi Shin
Photos by | Seokhyeon Lee, Logan
