The distinctive features of artist Song Ji-yeon’s works lie in her impressions of everyday landscapes and their thick, rough textures. Her art primarily depicts the organic relationship between her life and environment, using the city where she was born and raised as a medium. As seen in her paintings, the repeated process of applying and erasing paint, through countless brushstrokes, accumulates layers of pigment that symbolize the journey and process of discovering her identity—a tangible record of time. Many of her works bear the title “바라보다” (“Gaze”). This suggests that she not only seeks elevated viewpoints to observe the city but also explores its interiors as if on a pilgrimage. However, rather than presenting landmark motifs, her canvases often capture the everyday and expansive expressions of ordinary life. Perhaps the artist wishes to approach the emotions of people living humble, quiet lives rather than embedding grand narratives within her works.

Installation view 1

In terms of style, Song Ji-yeon’s paintings depict cityscapes while maintaining a distant perspective, partially deconstructing and blurring the imagery for painterly effect. Her color palette builds from a dark, nearly monochromatic base, gradually transitioning to brighter tones. By deliberately veering slightly away from realistic hues, she elicits subtle atmospheres and tonal nuances, inviting viewers to experience deeper aesthetic and reflective sensations that transcend the representational landscapes depicted. Unlike natural landscapes, cityscapes are often less capable of evoking pastoral lyricism or romantic sentimentality. However, for a generation accustomed to urban environments from birth, the city can serve as another form of “nature.” Song Ji-yeon contemplates and reflects on the city as such a meaningful space, weaving her thoughts into her art.

Installation view 2

Last winter, the artist ventured beyond the city for a month-long stay in Jeju Island. Despite being a distinctive island surrounded by seas and unique natural landscapes, Song Ji-yeon lived in an environment that closely resembled an urban setting even within Jeju. She chose to experience life as an urban dweller on the island—not as a tourist, fisherman, or farmer. While Jeju naturally presents ocean views, mountains, and open fields, her daily life there mirrored that of any other city dweller. The island’s harsh winds, rain, and heavy snow occasionally evoked fear and tension in her, but the warmth of her accommodations, the presence of family, and the flow of time offered her comfort and reassurance. She came to realize once again that true change doesn’t necessarily stem from external environments but resides within oneself.

Although her painting methods remained consistent, the process involved using brighter, more vibrant colors in Jeju, eventually refined into soft pastel tones in the final compositions. This reflects the artist’s emotions—adaptation to a new environment, unfamiliar fears, and an excited heart—all expressed through a range of colors.

Installation view 3

By infusing her emotions into the landscapes she portrays, the artist recalls memories and reflects on the meaning of past times. The sun-bleached impression of her landscapes evokes a sense of nostalgia, akin to the temporal depth captured in old black-and-white photographs. Song Ji-yeon’s works are notable for her candid perspective on urban spaces and subjects. While densely packed cityscapes could potentially alienate viewers seeking visual solace, her neutral and objective gaze, combined with her technical expertise, effectively conveys the expressions and stories of urban spaces without exaggeration. As a result, viewers can empathize with the environment we live in and find themselves drawn to the charm of her works.

Installation view 4

For Song Ji-yeon, the city is no longer a barren place. With modern society’s progress, urbanization is spreading to virtually every region, and we now live within such environments. Cities can even provide strength to face reality and, at times, serve as places of solace akin to one’s hometown. The artist has chosen the city as a means of self-reflection and continues her journey of self-discovery by repeating the process of painting and erasing. By exploring diverse perspectives on life and variations in color, she persistently evolves her unique artistic world through silent determination. Observing Song Ji-yeon’s works, we, too, are invited to reflect on our own lives and environments, sharing a moment of introspection together.

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