Suyeon Kwak
Suyeon Kwak (b. 1977) is a Korean contemporary artist known for her reinterpretation of traditional Korean painting, with a focus on the relationship between humans and animals. Drawing inspiration from Korean traditional art, Suyeon infuses humor and symbolism into her work, often featuring anthropomorphized animals—especially dogs—in everyday settings. Her use of ch’aekkado (bookshelf paintings) reflects her unique blend of whimsy and social commentary.
Trained in Korean Painting, Suyeon began her career depicting animals and has since expanded her work to explore broader themes of human-animal relationships. She combines traditional coloring techniques with digital media to depict rare animals, zodiac creatures, and mythical figures from Korean folklore, aiming to make traditional art more relevant to contemporary audiences.
Suyeon has collaborated with prominent organizations, including Samsung Electronics, the Samsung Culture Foundation, Vogue (magazine) Korea, and the City of Seoul. Her work is part of significant collections such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul, Museum SAN, the LG Woljeon Cultural Foundation, and the Blue House (Korean Presidential Residence), among others.
EDUCATION
Ph.D in Fine Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Dongguk University, Seoul, KR
MFA in Korean Painting, Hansung University, KR
BFA in Fine Arts, Hansung University, KR
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022 Yeongmo Painting Today, Dongduk Art Gallery, Seoul, KR
2022 We, Animals and Art, Gallery Book & Body, KR
2021 Korean Pop Art, National Assembly Main Building, Seoul, KR
2020 Suyeon Kwak, Painting and Narrative, Museum SAN, KR
2019 Wayugumgang, Gyeomjae Jeongseon Art Museum,Seoul, KR
2018 Wealth and Honor, The Trinity Gallery, Seoul, KR
2018 Happiness+2018, LG U+ Art Gallery, Seoul, KR
2017 Kwak Soo-yeon Exhibition, Korea Investment & Securities, Seoul
2016 12 animal system and Saekdong landscape, Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, Seoul, KR
2016 Mr. dog episode, Beyond Gallery, Seoul, KR
2015 Kwak su yeon Exhibition, Jongno Foundation Arts & Culture, Seoul, KR
2015 A delightful dog story, Artspace H, Seoul, KR
2014 Making friends with the Life through Pictures, Gallery Hanok, Seoul, KR
2012 Reports of Rare Animals, Dr. Park Gallery, Seoul, KR
2010 Mr, Dog goes to Utopia, Erl Gallery, Seoul, KR
2008 "Dog says...“ Erl Gallery, Seoul, KR
2008 New Start, ILJU ART SPACE, Seoul, KR
2006 "Strength of Korean painting", Hangaram Museum, Seoul, KR
2005 So affectionate, Kwanhoon Gallery, Seoul, KR
2004 "Medum to view ogo”, Gallery Lamier, Seoul, KR
2002 Possession of daily life, Insa Gallery, Seoul, KR
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 A prelude to Korean Contemporary Art, Namuso Gallery, The Hague, NL
2022 Korean Still Life Painting, Book Painting Exhibition, Welt Museum, Vienna, AT
2022 Tiger, Woljeon Museum of Art Icheon, Icheon, KR
2021 Book Painting - Paintings Blooming from Books, National Library of Korea, Seoul, KR
2020 Kwangdong Pharmaceutical Gasan Millennium Garden 5th Anniversary Kweon Soo Yeon Exhibition, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, KR
2019 Welcome, Spring, Korean Blue House (the Presidential residence of South Korea, Seoul, KR
2019 Book Painting Today, Dongduk Art Gallery, Seoul, KR
2019 Gangneung City Museum Special Planning “Happy Together” Exhibition, Gangneung City Museum, Gangneung, KR
2017 Special Exhibition, Icheon Word Ceramic Center, Icheon, KR
2017 With Pets, Dream forest Seoul Art Center, Seoul, KR
2017 Ink painting view, Museum Hanbyeogwon, Seoul, KR
2017 Deep- color pigment, Dongduk Art Gallery, Seoul, KR
2017 Companion communion (Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Seoul, KR
2017 Special exhibition, Jong Museum, Jincheon, KR
2017 Animal symbol and meaning, EW Museum, Seoul, KR
2017 Companion: Life with you, Shinsegye Gallery, Busan, KR
2016 Beautiful Moments, Looking Back to the Modern Art
2016 Special exhibition, 63 Art Gallery, Seoul, KR
2016 The region with strong scenery and human spirit are depicted, Myung Art Center, Gangneung, KR
2016 Taiwan & Korea Exchange Exhibition,
AWARDS
2016 5th Gasong Art Award - Collaboration Award, Ara Art Center, KR
2010 Artist of Tomorrow Award, Gyeomjae Jeongseon Art Museum, KR
2007 Gangneung Dano Calligraphy and Painting Art Exhibition, Grand Prize, Gangneung Culture and Arts, KR
2004, 2005, 2006 8th, 9th, 10th Na Hye-seok Women's Art Exhibition, Special Selection, Gyeonggi-province Culture Center, KR
COLLABORATIONS
Samsung Electronics, Samsung Culture Foundation, Vogue (magazine) Korea, City of Seoul, BC Card, E-Land Foundation, Buchae Pyo Gasong Cultural Foundation, Shinsegae Department Store, among others
COLLECTIONS
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) - Art Bank in Seoul, Museum SAN, LG Woljeon Cultural Foundation, Korea University Museum, Cheong Wa Dae - The presidential residence and the diplomatic reception halls of South Korea, Gyeomjae Jeongseon Art Museum, E-Land Foundation, Jinburyeong Museum, Korea, Shinsegae Group, Heungkuk Life Insurance, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, among others