As an artist with over two decades of experience in charcoal, oil, acrylic, and watercolor, my
creative journey has been one of discovery—a dialogue between material and memory,
heritage and heart. Deeply rooted in my Korean identity, I am devoted to Minhwa, the
traditional Korean folk art that transforms hardship into dreams, pain into hope, and the
ordinary into the sacred.
I seek to breathe new life into this tradition by painting on dakjongi (Korean mulberry paper)
with natural pigments enriched by gold powder, creating luminous textures that radiate both
warmth and depth. My paintings are filled with symbolic motifs: peonies symbolizing
prosperity, butterflies for joy, and lotus flowers rising from mud to embody purity and rebirth.
Among these symbols, the tiger and magpie hold a special place. In Korean folk tradition, the
tiger represents power and protection, often depicted as both fearsome and humorous—a
guardian spirit that watches over everyday life. The magpie, in contrast, carries messages of
good news and happiness. Together, the pair symbolizes a wish for harmony, laughter, and
fortune within the human spirit.
Blending tradition with innovation, I paint with natural pigments on dakjongi and breathe life
into the surface by layering torn pieces of paper, creating depth and movement. This unique
technique allows each work to feel alive—carrying warmth, spirit, and hope to those who
encounter it.
My recent works have been featured in several major exhibitions, including:
- Create-Inspire-Empower, Mosaic ARTs Gallery; The PARC, VA
- Legendary: An Exhibition of Women Artists (Invitational, curated by Debra Wright), The
Stacy C. Sherwood Center; Fairfax, VA
- International Symposium for Visual Culture Exhibition, CICA Museum; Gimpo, South
Korea
- WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE DMV, Pyramid Atlantic; MD
- Colorburst Art Exhibition, The Stacy C. Sherwood Center; Fairfax, VA

At these exhibitions, my works were selected and received with deep recognition and empathy
from audiences. Many viewers shared that the symbolism, vibrant colors, and timeless
narratives within Minhwa spoke to their own sense of hope, resilience, and joy.
Through my art, I aspire to keep this tradition alive—not as a relic of the past, but as a living,
breathing force that connects cultures, bridges generations, and inspires the belief that beauty
and meaning can flourish even in the midst of life’s hardships.

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