Souvenirs by An Sangmi

Souvenirs is the very first photobook by photographer An Sangmi. Released alongside the artist’s first solo exhibition in May 2026, SEEN & LEFT (예쁜마음), this photobook is a record of the scenes she has observed, captured, and left behind.

"Keeping what I love close and distancing myself from what I dislike, I realized that everything I captured and left behind miraculously pointed in the exact same direction. It’s a story about a 'beautiful mind.' I approached it by dividing it into two concepts: creating those moments and discovering them. If Souvenirs is a collection of things I created with an affectionate mind, then A Kind Garden captures the moments I felt a 'beautiful mind' through someone else's consideration." -Photographer An Sangmi

Souvenirs is a photobook that records An Sangmi’s unique version of mementos—remembering cities through everyday objects rather than famous landmarks. Even amidst her packed monthly schedule of photo shoots, deadlines, and business trips, she never stopped carving out time for herself to discover and seek out the beauty in the world.

"I usually love looking at fruits and vegetables. When I look closely at their differing colors, densities, and atypical shapes, they look so cute that they make me smile. Especially when traveling, if I spot exotic fruits or vegetables, I buy the ones that caught my eye the most that day. The moment I bring them back to my hotel room, they cease to be mere ingredients and turn into objets d'art."

Souvenirs views everyday objects through a lens that is sometimes mischievous, playful, and deeply warm. It captures the artist’s bright and cheerful perspective, showing how objects and scenes we might easily pass by can hold memories and emotions to blossom into a world of their own. Through this photobook, we hope you can encounter the small, beautiful world that An Sangmi has built.

Souvenirs: Seen & Left
An Sangmi
First Edition
Published in May 2026
All Photographs © An Sangmi
Published by THE PHRASE

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The Phrase is a creative studio based in Seoul, helming an independent bookstore that features a curated selection of magazines and art books across fashion, photography, and design.