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.
Suyeon holds a Ph.D. in Fine Arts as well as an MFA and BFA in Korean Painting. Her academic background is deeply rooted in the study and practice of Korean painting, which informs her innovative approach to blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes.
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.
