ICP Teen Academy
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Easub Yoon
To stand larger than life; a sad dream. The machinations of a child with an impaired understanding of the world around him; I wanted to be a star, so I set myself on fire.
And I burned, a dull and uncontrolled burn that lasted most of my working memory. Ablaze with the quickly failing notion of being special, I ran blindly towards a world I thought would understand me, and away from a world I couldn't understand.
Steps after strides after leaps, I blindly chased the coldest corners of the new hell I quickly fell in love with. It was a beautiful dream my ostracized body knew was a nightmare. Screaming words steeped in defiance, I calmly walked myself into rehab.
I still see the world through a pair of glass eyes. I still see the flames, sometimes just a spark, but in others, an inferno. I see them everywhere. I see them in the mirror, on the walls, on your faces, and I feel the heat on my back when I close my eyes.
That scares me, it scares me more than words can say. And so, I'm going to drop the lighter and hope to burn something new inside of me. Ashes can't burn after all, so neither will I. I say this, but to be frank, I am simply haunted by a past that falls into obsolescence with each breath; I am screaming, and I am forgetting why. Acquiescence has, or will, or is drifting ashore, for sure.
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Easub Yoon is a New York City-based photographer whose work tries to capture the grit of the city. Born and raised in Harlem, his overwhelming sense of curiosity drove him to explore every dark alley, packed streets, and shaded corner of the city. A self-taught artist, Yoon began his journey in photography with almost erratic experimentation, while initially drawing inspiration from the raw energy of the 1990s punk scene. Over time, exposure to broader artistic influences led his work to evolve into a more abstract and nuanced style.
As a child, Easub was almost resentful of the idea of artistic expression; however, when venturing into photography impulsively and without clear intention, he began his casual pursuit which turned into an intense passion. Today, his diverse portfolio primarily focuses on fine art photography, often delving into abstract themes that challenge one’s perception of the world around them.