As an artistic agitator and purifier, Youngjin Jo metaphorically “spits” upon entrenched structures of power, absorbing the chaos and disorder of the external world, and distilling it into a raw yet distinctly cathartic expression of movement and transformation. In this piece, he layers, overlaps, and revises abstract forms and fluid strokes, capturing the dualities of tension and release found in the mundane yet profound sensory experience of physical stretching. Through cycles of erasure and re-creation, he invites the audience into a visceral realm where boundaries blur, and the subtleties of body language metabolize everyday challenges into empathetic compositions of hope and possibility going forward. 

In this beautiful piece, Jihyun Jin depicts a profound exploration of resilience, freedom, and heartfelt connection. Based in Seoul, Jihyun describes an artist as a close observer of the world, translating its intricate details and emotions into meaningful interpretations. Through her work, she captures the essence of human longing, loneliness, and desire, all the while offering a sense of solace and inspiration.

For Jihyun, even the most fragile of entities can break through obstacles in a way that embodies the power of quiet strength and hope. Her painting illuminates corners where natural light cannot reach, with multiple moons and suns casting a symbolic glow over life’s unseen spaces. She invites viewers to find comfort in her art, offering a reminder that, like the moon, hope and light persist even in the darkest moments.

Using ink and color, Jihyun layers countless brushstrokes on paper, creating mesmerizing textures and depths. She experiments with varying moisture levels, blending blurred and dry brush techniques to craft dynamic compositions. Each stroke represents energy, both physical and emotional, reflecting her contemplative connection to both her subjects and her own existence.

Suyoung Kim delves into the human condition, blending traditional Korean painting techniques with a poignant exploration of intangible values. Through her creative practice, she seeks to uncover the extraordinary within the ordinary, channeling the pain of reality into a transformative and comforting expression.

This piece captures an impactful narrative of vulnerability and resilience. Depicting a figure who has shed their shirt and climbed a tree in an effort to escape life’s harsh realities, the work resonates as a powerful metaphor for the shared human experience of grappling with pain. Executed in oil paint on delicate hanji, the painting is developed through meticulous layering, which imbues the composition with subtle, evocative textures that convey a deep emotional nuance. 

Suyoung’s artistic process reflects a personal meditation on inner turmoil, curiosity about the unseen, and a profound contemplation of life’s transitions. Her recurring use of fire as a motif symbolizes both life and death, illuminating the duality of existence. In her vision, death is not an ending but a transformative passage to a realm where time and space dissolve. Her work envisions an afterlife where the ancient and the modern coexist, shaping the subconscious and continuing an infinite journey of renewal and change.

Kangtaegumon converts a surge of instant, mass media images into his own form of storytelling. Although he spends his life amidst the crowd, he often feels alone. Like many, he is burdened by a sense of deficiency and an inescapable obligation to fit in. Rather than overthink things, he decided to sublimate his concerns into this rather cute and kitschy piece.

Expressing a feeling of indifference in social settings, Kangtaegumon felt an affinity to the phrase, “Like a borrowed cat” the moment he saw it online. By doing away with his usual compositional and stylistic limits, he gives himself the creative license to play around with various colors and materials. You could even say that he finds room to swing the proverbial cat, expressing himself freely and subverting social expectations at the same time.

There was a time when music meant the world to Junhyeok Lee. Forced to relinquish his musicality and abandon his dreams, art was the one friend and mentor that cast light on his troubles and alleviated the pain. Nowadays, Junhyeok draws upon Obangsaek and the tenets of Korean color symbolism to express his inner world. For him, red is the lifeblood of anguish that courses through one’s veins, and blue is the introspective energy needed to clear the mind and release the spirit from the depths of despair. 

In this piece, Junhyeok deals with the theme of beginnings and endings. Utilizing mixed media in a pointillist style, his abstract petals operate in a tactile fashion as if touching us with their pain. Indeed, much like Junhyeok’s subject, they too are fallen angels artificially and flagrantly harmed by human hands.

By opening a window into his soul, Junhyeok reveals that which ordinarily lurks in the shadows. At the same time, while the pain evoked is so visceral and desperately intense, he reminds us that it is also part of a fluid process that engulfs, inhabits, and ultimately makes us stronger and more beautiful than ever before.

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