"Cho 0 Joo" is an Artistic Research-Critic book that comprehensively documents the artistic trajectory of Younjoo Cho over a span of approximately 20 years. Cho, a South Korean artist, undertook studies in France following her graduation from a university in South Korea. Subsequently, she spent approximately five years in Germany before returning to South Korea to resume exhibiting her work, particularly in the mid-2010s. This Artistic Research-Study publication received support from Arts Council Korea.
Nine Korean art critics and three international writers collaborated on this artistic research endeavor, focusing on Cho's foundational materials, descriptions of her seminal works, and recent critical analysis conducted over the past year. A catalog of 69 works spanning from her debut in 2002 was categorized into 'Solo,' 'Collective,' and 'Collaborative' projects. Each work is accompanied by essential details such as production year, medium, collection location, participants, and exhibition history. Additionally, seven project manuals outlining Cho's methodologies in constructing her works were compiled. The critical discourse revolves around themes of body, gender, care, and performance.
The research team, spearheaded by Dongyeon Koh, Namsee Kim, and
Minjoo Lee, demonstrated consistent interest in Cho's oeuvre. Yoonjeong Koh directed and edited the entire project, with contributions from domestic and international scholars including performance researcher Sinae Ra and art critic Woong Nam. Moonjeong Lee conducted interviews with Cho regarding her recent endeavors, while global writers Jo-Lene Ong, Claudia Mattos, and Adeena Mey also participated. Feminist researcher Hwajeong Kim Yoo and art critic Sunyeong Lee were integral team members, along with contributions from Taehyun Kwon's previous writings.
The book provides readers with a critical lens that identifies gaps in Cho's artistic endeavors and systematically elucidates her works through an exclusive archive encompassing films, drawings, installations, and live performances.
Born in Seoul in 1978, Youngjoo Cho graduated in Western painting from the art education department of Sungkyunkwan University. After going on to earn an undergraduate and graduate (DNSEP) degree at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts de Paris-Cergy, she pursued an artistic career for several years while based in Berlin. She returned to Korea in 2012 and began working as an artist there; she remains based in Seoul today while taking part in numerous overseas projects. During her time in Germany, she combined her artistic activities with participation in private group activities, including her work with the Goldrausch Künstlerinnenprojekt Art IT program and the Social Science Association. In Korea, she has participated in numerous residencies at the Gyeonggi Creation Center, the Hong-ti Art Center (Busan), Artist Residency TEMI (Daejeon), Incheon Art Platform, and Seoul Art Space Geumcheon, among others. She laid the groundwork for renewed artistic activity in Europe through a three-month residency in 2023 with the Delfina Foundation in the UK. She has received support funds from the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, the Institut Français (art project), and Gender Equality Fund. In 2020, she was honored with the 20th SongEun Art Award. In 2022, she was selected to take part in the SFAC’s arts and technology project Unfold X. She is currently scheduled to hold a solo exhibition Cadenza at the Songeun Art and Cultural Foundation in 2024.