Wonmi Seo

Wonmi Seo’s artworks exhibit a striking display of vibrant hues and expressive brushwork. Her artworks reflect her personal experiences and psychological landscapes, seamlessly blending elements that evoke fear, hidden aspects, shadows, and imagery from her dreams. Through her unique pictorial language, she invites viewers to delve into the depths of her creative vision.

Seo has been diligently pursuing their artistic career since graduating from the prestigious Art Department of Sungkyunkwan University. She has established herselves as a prominent figure in the vibrant art scene of Seoul. She is known for her annual solo exhibitions and has been honored with prestigious awards, such as the Seoul Digital University Art Award and the Chongkundang Art Prize. Her previous pieces frequently delved into the intricate realms of the human psyche, delving into the complex interplay of memory, anxiety, and trauma. Lately, she has been experimenting with abstract forms, liberating herself from the limitations of traditional form and content. Seo describes, “To me, painting is a subject where the artist’s time, environment, and the pure essence of the creator are openly revealed. I explore images like playing hide-and-seek, layering and varying my diverse perceptions and realistic, physical experiences in front of the canvas. Lately, I strive to depict shapes that resemble images from dreams with primal colors. It’s like painting vivid yet faded colors that rise from a continent before it splits apart.”

Seo will be showcasing a collection of artworks at Kiaf that revolve around the captivating theme of ‘words.’ In Korean, the word ‘말(mal)’ has multiple meanings. It can refer to language, which is a fundamental tool for human communication. Additionally, it can also describe a horse gracefully galloping in a field. “I frequently envision a period in which language and images seamlessly merged. At first, I began sketching horses as a whimsical idea, driven by my desire to incorporate numerous concepts into my artwork. Over time, I also began incorporating cowboys into my work. Amidst a realm brimming with polished and believable entities, a cowboy, emerging through happenstance and error, possesses the ability to traverse any corner of the pristine canvas.”

Seo occasionally experiences a sense of isolation while exploring the realm of painting without any specific interpretation or form, purely for the sake of artistic expression. She expresses a sense of detachment from society during her work, which can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness. Nevertheless, she finds fulfillment in her life as an artist. She eloquently describes how painting enables her to delve into a vast array of emotions that extend far beyond the realm of everyday existence. It grants her the freedom to explore choices, embrace mistakes, encounter serendipitous moments, and experience both the elation and exasperation that come with the creative process. Ultimately, painting becomes a conduit for moments of pure, unadulterated delight.

Seo remarked, “My direct and immediate gestures, and the changing state of the paintings that follow, are a profoundly realistic and physical experience, akin to feeling the warm earth beneath my feet rather than floating stories in the sky. Drawing and viewing paintings can sometimes be agonizing, but the joy beyond that keeps me drawing continuously.”

“My goal is to become an ‘incomparable artist’ and to paint without needing a platform. I believe I can achieve these goals if I spend my lifetime drawing,” the artist said. “Just as I freely experience various emotions while drawing, I hope viewers can appreciate them without being confined by any framework. To me, art is like alchemy, transforming a perfect mirror into a transparent window. I eagerly anticipate how my mirror will meet spectators and transform into countless windows, each revealing its own scenery.”

Wonmi Seo, Cowboy Whistle, Oil, oil pastel on linen, 72.7 x 91 cm, 2023