In Lucy Sson’s hands, the Minhwa tradition becomes a vehicle for candid expression, a delightful exhalation of the humor and unadorned desires of ordinary folk. Like a temporal voyager, she conjures visions of her ancestors, resurrecting their voices to resonate through her contemporary canvas. Beyond imitation, she takes flight into the boundless realms of reverie, interpreting nature, human energies, and the whimsical menagerie of Jeju island that graces her daily life.

Lucy infuses old school imagery into her landscapes and employs traditional materials and techniques in a manner that caresses the sensibilities of a new generation of art connoisseurs. She starts by grinding powdered pigments into a vision of chromatic serenity, intertwining them with glue so as to create the most stunning liquid hues. She then layers these pigments on hanji, where memories and emotions metamorphose into something ineffably enchanting.

It is a tableau of fairytales woven into reality, an extraordinary space where deep-sea diving grandmothers commune with Hareubang stone guardians, and quirky felines in inflatable unicorns cavort in celebration of the island that has painted Lucy’s life with joy since day one.

Gimnyeong Sea (2016). Pigments on Hanji. 53cm x 75cm.

Purple Rain (2020). Pigments on Hanji. 56 x 56cm.

Playing with Fish (2017). Pigments on Hanji. 45 x 45cm.

Riding the Wind through the Waves (2017). Pigments on Hanji. 25 x 25cm.

Coastal Rd. Bros (2019). Pigments on Hanji. 36 x 36cm.

Mandarin Duck Waterfalls (2016). Pigments on Hanji. 60 x 72.5cm.

Discover more of Lucy’s works in Issue 2 of our magazine!