Today we’d like to introduce you to Ziesook You
Hi Ziesook, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Broqpa is the name of a small village in Nepal. Ziesook first learned of it from a TV documentary, The Last Empire. Ziesook was moved by what she learned about a small village located at the end of the Silk Road in Nepal named Broq-pa. In Broq-pa, the symbolic meaning of flowers is very special. In the Nepalese culture, flowers symbolize love, happiness, and appreciation for God. Broq-pa’s women are committed to growing flowers in their garden and decorating their hair with flowers every day. Ziesook wanted to incorporate this traditional symbolism from Broq-pa into her work and her own life. She believes that this ephemeral medium, the flower, can carry a piece of happiness into people’s lives. Ziesook’s desire to share the spirit of Broq-pa with people through her artwork was the inspiration for her series, Scent of Broq-pa. The first work in the Broq-pa project began in 2016 with floral portraits of her twin daughters. Ziesook is continuing the series by exploring floral portraits of seniors, single mothers, people from multicultural backgrounds, and different age groups.
Ziesook’s art form always involves communication with the subject. She strives to have her work project the individual’s personality. Ziesook’s goal is to create an intimate visual that incorporates multiple layers of meaning. By experimenting with various media and combining fresh flowers and dry flowers, Ziesook creates an image with characteristics that lie somewhere between photography and painting.
⚫ Twins Project – This Project has grown since May 2016. The artist takes photos and videos of her twin daughters. They show the harmony of nature and children, representing the most pure things on earth. The work emphasizes the moment of intense joy or an ashamed expression; the work follows the growth of the twin children. If possible, the artist wants to collaborate with local children when being involved with the flower market of the world project.
⚫Single Mother Project – The artist hopes to give positive experiences and memories to parents and children by collaborating in her work with a neglected and socially weak class. Collaborating with Holt Children’s Services Inc., the project interviews eight single mothers at the Charming Garden community for single mothers in the Gyeonggi office. The interviews were conducted with five families, a total of ten people in May 2018. 1~2 people were photographed in June and July. In case the flowers harmed children, they were collaged on top of the photographs. The issues of portrait rights, shooting, distribution, and publication were discussed. In the future, an exhibition will show them with women of various age groups to avoid the issues of portrait rights and prejudice. Also, with the concern of portrait rights, the project was privately exhibited at the Gyeonggi office of Holt Children’s Services Inc. from September 1 to 8. After the exhibition, the works were sent to each family as a gift. The artist plans to work with adopted children and their families by continuing the collaboration with the Gyeonggi branch of Holt Children’s Services Inc. The artist hopes her work to be a meaningful gift for adopted children who will have it as a lasting memory when they visit someday.
⚫Senior Project –In the Mood for Love – This project was conducted around one charming senior citizen. The artist first met elderly women at the museum by conducting photography and video work. They were older than she expected, and they had had a quite hard life. Although their situation continued, they told their stories truthfully. During this time the artist found out that Mrs. Lee Geumrae had wanted to open a flower shop in the past. She lost her husband when young, so she had to work at a textile factory for her children and could not open the shop. The artist could not even imagine how difficult this woman’s life could be but she saw her always with a happy and active attitude. Thinking that she wanted to present a flower shop to her, the artist came up with the idea of inviting Mrs. Lee to the Scent of Broqpa project. On the day of shooting, Mrs. Lee put on makeup and prepared several costumes; the artist saw that a flower bloomed on her face on that day. Then, the artist also worked with six elderly women in June and July. The colorful and somewhat tatty flower-patterned blouse that they wore went together somehow with the artist’s concept. The artist smiled when looking at them having a big smile. They were always complaining but the artist knew that they were shyly sitting like girls. They were really like a girl with a big smile in the photos. For the artist, it would be difficult to understand their life, lasting twice longer than her own, but she was sure that they bloomed at that moment. The project aims to give a beautiful moment of life to elderly people who stand in front of death “in the mood of love”.
⚫ Multi-Culture Project – The artist conducted this project with multi-cultural families in Seongnam in May 2017. By doing so, the artist wanted to talk about the beauty of who they are although they have different skin colors.
⚫Different Age Groups – No woman does not like a flower. By putting flowers in the hair of middle and elderly men and women who once enjoyed their youth, the artist gave them a new birth for a moment. The artist believes that her hope for happiness for today’s neglected classes might gradually gain power and history through her projects.
⚫Texas wildflower project – After moving to Texas, one of the first things I did was go out and collect some of the state’s wildflowers. I was drawn to the sea holly, lace flower, bluebonnet, Indian paintbrush, and pink evening primrose in particular. I also gathered specimens of the evening primrose, Indian blanket, campanula, cornflower, gayfeather, Texas thistle, perovskia, leucophyllum, knautia arvensis, and cirsism horridulum michx. I collected photos and have been editing a photo essay book about ‘the color of Texas’. Also have been making a documentary with nature movie clips. This project is a great way to celebrate the beauty of Texas and raise awareness about the importance of preserving its natural treasures.
⚫100 Austin Artist’s floral portraits – In my frequent visits to art galleries, I often found myself admiring artworks without knowing the artists behind them. This lack of connection left me longing for a deeper understanding and community within the art world. Upon relocating to Texas and embarking on my journey as a new artist, I realized the importance of networking and building relationships within the local artistic community. Despite being relatively new and not having established connections, I have been fortunate to encounter kind and supportive individuals who have encouraged me along this path.
I am incredibly grateful for the kindness and encouragement I’ve received, as it has fueled my desire to give back and contribute to the artistic landscape that has welcomed me so warmly. Austin, with its vibrant art scene, particularly stands out with its annual artist studio event in November, boasting the participation of over 500 artists. Despite the magnitude of this event, I’ve only had the chance to connect with a handful of artists personally.
To foster connections and celebrate the diverse talents within Austin’s artistic community, I am embarking on a project to collaborate with 100 artists initially. Through this project, I plan to create and display floral portraits alongside their respective artworks. This endeavor not only showcases each artist’s unique styles and visions but also intertwines nature’s beauty with the creativity of the human spirit.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In South Korea, I always had to juggle two jobs. The art market was exclusive, with opportunities reserved for a select few. Without the right academic or regional connections, even securing a spot in an exhibition felt like an uphill battle.
When I moved to the U.S., everything felt different. Here, my career history and age weren’t barriers; the art community was open, vibrant, and welcoming. The art market was alive with possibility, and for the first time, I felt a true sense of creative freedom. That excitement made my transition to Dallas not only smooth but deeply fulfilling.
But just as I had settled into my new artistic rhythm, my family had to relocate to Austin. Once again, I found myself starting over. At first, the language barrier felt overwhelming. Over time, my English improved, but other challenges remained—cultural differences, finding my place within the art community, navigating the system, and uncovering the right opportunities. It took patience and resilience.
Yet, along the way, I met kind and open-hearted people who embraced differences rather than resisted them. Walking this journey alongside them, I began to see new paths unfold before me. Now, in my third year in Austin, the once unfamiliar landscape feels more like home. I understand more, connect more, and find myself taking part in an increasing number of exhibitions.
Every transition comes with uncertainty, but I’ve learned that with time, openness, and the right people, new beginnings can turn into something extraordinary.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create unique floral portraits, blending photography, mixed media, collage, and documentary elements in my work.
One of the projects I’m most proud of is “10 Years Self-Portrait,” a deeply personal endeavor spanning ten years. From 1999 to 2009, I took a single photograph of myself every morning, capturing the passage of time in its rawest form. In 2010, I held a solo exhibition and condensed that decade-long journey into a two-minute, single-channel video.
My greatest strengths are patience and a deep connection with nature. I gravitate toward serial projects, allowing ideas to unfold over time, and I thrive on collaborative works, especially those that give voice to underrepresented communities. I believe in the power of artistic encounters that bring people together, and I am committed to creating and leading projects that—no matter how long they take—come to life through perseverance and trust.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
After moving to the United States in 2019, I began submitting my work to various international photography and art competitions.
By a stroke of good fortune, I received several awards—each one becoming a quiet affirmation that I was on the right path. These moments of recognition helped me believe in myself more deeply and gave me the courage to dream bigger, to reach further, and to step into a wider world.
But it wasn’t just the wins that shaped me. The times I didn’t place or faced rejection were just as meaningful. They invited me to pause, to reflect, and to reconnect with the heart of my work. In many ways, those moments became fuel—driving me to grow, to evolve, and to keep creating with even more honesty and intention.
Pricing:
- semi floral portrait section 30mins $200
- floral craown with real flowers couple shoot 1hour $400
- wedding floral crown 4hours $1200
- private event floral craown+photo secti4hours $2000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ziesookyou.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziesook/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ziesook
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziesook-you-911bb2201/?locale=en_US
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ziesookyou2562
Image Credits
Scent of Austin 01312025, 20X30 inch, photography, 2025
Scent of Austin 06182024 20x20inch, photography, 2024
Scent of Austin 04072024 20x20inch, photography, 2024
Scent of Texas 10022024 20X30 inch, photography, 2024
Scent of Texas 04122024 20X20 inch, photography, 2024
My Valentine, 20x20inch, photography, 2025
Scent of Austin 02272025, 20×20 inch, photography, 2025
Scent of Austin 03022025, 20x20inch, photography, 2025
