Beyond the Canvas: A Fusion of Painting, Fashion, and Music Celebrates Art, Creativity, and New Beginnings

Artist Park Yeon-sook, professionally known as Carmen PARK, presented a unique art fashion show combining painting, fashion, and music at the 2026 Bank Art Fair, held at SETEC in Seoul from October 15 to 18, 2026.

The special performance, staged on the opening day of October 15, transformed original paintings into wearable scarves and brought artworks to life through the movements of models on the runway.

A former music educator who later became a senior model, fashion show director, and painter, Carmen PARK has continuously expanded her creative horizons. In an exclusive interview, she shared her artistic philosophy, the inspiration behind the performance, and her belief that it is never too late to pursue new dreams.

Paintings Transformed into Wearable Art

At the 2026 Bank Art Fair, Carmen PARK introduced an innovative concept that transformed her original paintings into scarves, creating a connection between visual art and fashion.

Models walked the runway wearing scarves featuring colors and images from her paintings. They also carried original artworks created by Carmen PARK and other participating artists, transforming traditionally static paintings into dynamic artistic expressions.

“The idea began with a simple question: What if paintings that had remained on canvas could meet fashion and become moving works of art?” PARK explained.

“I wanted to combine the movement of fashion with the emotional power of music and give new life to different artistic genres on a single stage.”

Eleven models participated in the performance: Kim Nak-gi, Kim Su-gyeong, Kim Su-yeon, Park So-hee, Park Si-hyeon, Park Yeon-sook, Lee Mi-hee, Lee Eun-sil, Jeong Mi-gyeong, Jeong Seong-hun, and Choi Yeon-ji.

Photographer Kim Min-gyeong captured the memorable runway moments through her artistic lens.

“What made this performance especially meaningful was that all eleven models participated not simply as performers, but as artists expressing the works through their own personalities and emotions,” PARK said.

“A stage is never completed by the director alone. It truly shines when the passion and creativity of everyone involved come together.”

From Music Educator to Senior Model and Painter

Carmen PARK’s artistic journey began with music.

After majoring in music education at university, she worked as a teacher and experienced firsthand how art influences people’s emotions and everyday lives.

She later entered the world of senior modeling, gradually expanding her activities into fashion education, runway production, and fashion show direction.

Her journey into painting began with encouragement from an acquaintance.

“Although I never received formal art education, I discovered the joy of expressing the world through my own emotions and perspective without being restricted by established conventions,” she said.

For PARK, music, fashion, and painting are not separate disciplines but interconnected forms of artistic expression.

“Looking back, music, fashion, and painting were never entirely different fields. They were simply different ways in which the artistic sensibility within me continued to grow and evolve.”

These diverse experiences ultimately came together in her interdisciplinary performance at the 2026 Bank Art Fair.

Capturing the Warmth of Christmas and the Romance of Travel

Carmen PARK’s paintings frequently explore the warmth of Christmas and the romantic atmosphere of travel.

For her, Christmas represents love, generosity, and hope. Sparkling lights and the excitement of festive gatherings evoke a sense of comfort that allows people to momentarily escape the pressures of everyday life.

Travel is another essential source of artistic inspiration.

Beautiful European architecture, Christmas markets, a warm glass of mulled wine on a winter street, the romantic avenues of Paris, and the evening scenery along the Seine River all provide inspiration for her paintings.

However, PARK’s artistic goal extends beyond simply reproducing landscapes.

“Rather than painting scenery exactly as it appears, I want to capture the emotions, memories, and unforgettable moments that remain in my heart,” she explained.

“If my paintings can help viewers remember their own happy moments and inspire even a small light of hope within them, I believe my work has achieved something meaningful.”

Breaking Artistic Boundaries Through Painting, Fashion, and Music

Harmony and empathy are the two values Carmen PARK considers most important in interdisciplinary art.

Music communicates emotions through sound, painting expresses stories through colors and forms, and fashion creates emotional connections through the movement of the human body.

Although their methods differ, these art forms share the ability to move people’s hearts.

“The true beauty of interdisciplinary art lies in respecting the unique qualities of each genre while allowing them to complement one another and create a shared emotional experience,” PARK emphasized.

This philosophy formed the foundation of her art fashion show.

“I wanted to demonstrate that paintings do not have to remain hanging on walls. They can become fashion, movement, and even a part of our everyday lives,” she said.

Watching her paintings transformed into scarves and reinterpreted through the movements of models was an especially memorable experience.

“Seeing my own paintings step beyond the canvas and come alive as another form of art was an unforgettable moment.”

Looking Toward International Exhibitions and Fashion Collaborations

Carmen PARK hopes to develop multidisciplinary art projects that connect painting, fashion, music, and performance through a unified artistic narrative.

Her vision goes beyond traditional exhibitions where visitors simply observe artworks.

Instead, she hopes to create immersive artistic environments where audiences can experience art from multiple perspectives and develop deeper emotional connections.

She is also interested in projects that bring together artists and models from different generations.

Through such collaborations, she hopes participants will discover new possibilities and communicate through their shared passion for art.

PARK also plans to expand her painting practice.

While her previous works have focused primarily on Christmas and travel, she hopes to experiment more freely with colors, forms, and artistic techniques.

She is exploring opportunities to transform her paintings into scarves and fashion accessories, as well as potential collaborations with fashion brands.

International exhibitions are another aspiration.

“I hope to create a beautiful cycle in which inspiration gained through travel becomes art, and that art travels around the world to connect with people from different cultures and create new emotional experiences,” she said.

It Is Never Too Late to Begin Again

The central message Carmen PARK hopes to share through her artistic journey is the courage to embrace new challenges.

After studying music and working in education, she stepped onto the runway as a senior model, expanded her career into fashion show planning and direction, and eventually discovered a new path as a painter.

Through these experiences, she came to believe that age should never define the limits of personal growth.

“Taking on new challenges is not simply about expanding the range of activities we pursue. It is a process of discovering another side of ourselves that we may never have known existed.”

She encourages those considering a new beginning to take their first step rather than waiting until everything feels perfectly prepared.

“What matters is not how early you begin, but how sincerely you pursue your own path.”

She added that growing older does not necessarily mean having fewer possibilities.

“I believe that as we grow older, the experiences we accumulate give us even richer stories to express.”

Carmen PARK’s art fashion show at the 2026 Bank Art Fair demonstrated the creative possibilities of bringing painting, fashion, and music together.

More importantly, it reflected the journey of an artist who continues to challenge herself, explore new forms of expression, and inspire others through her work.

Concluding the interview, PARK shared a message that captures the spirit of her artistic philosophy.

“At any moment in life, we can dream new dreams and take on new challenges. That is the most beautiful message I hope to share through my art.”

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