From the landmarks of love and forgiveness, to the trenches of hatred and war, Julie Hwang sheds light on a starkly contradictory existence that is as glorious as it is terrible. As an artist and novelist, the world for her is a botanical garden awash with canvases on which to embroider, pen and paint a tapestry of emotions.

Julie views the pursuit of love as a state in which individuals yearn for genuine communication. To crystallize such a discourse, she harvests the pains of heartbreak and loneliness into an organic picture of human connection. Cyclical and profound, her beautiful flowers blossom in the sunlight only to wither instantaneously in the falling rain.

Although magnificent to the eye, Julie knows that her flowers simply cannot change the world. Indeed, they cannot stem the tides of conflict or pollinate prosperity for those who need it most. Nonetheless, her hand-crafted letters burst into dazzling colors, certainly visible and even game-changing to those willing to read between the lines. While Julie’s works may never reach an end destination or touch the hearts and minds of the masses, she is content in the knowledge that her panoramic personal narratives exist for even a single stranger to behold.

Botany (2015). Acrylic on Canvas. 182 x 227cm.

Self Portrait (2014). Acrylic on Canvas. 80 x 100cm.

Botany (2014). Acrylic on Canvas. 130 x 162cm.

Botany (2014). Acrylic on Canvas. 183 x 228cm.

A Reflection on My Journey (2007). 130 x 162cm.

Inner Landscape (2017). Acrylic on Canvas. 130 x 194cm.

Discover more of Julie’s works in Issue 3 of our magazine!