The stunning works of Jeong Myoung Jo are inspired by the natural beauty of the traditional Korean dress, or “Hanbok,” of the Joseon Dynasty. The opulent gold and calligraphic background in Jeong’s paintings symbolize at once the desire of the subject as well as her restriction - placed on her by the male-dominated society. The hidden beauty of the woman faceless, ornate and regal belies the truth of her emotional inner self. By using bold bright colors and intricate patterns help to recount her story, the artist offers us the opportunity to expand our curiosity and use our imagination, to understand beauty without the obvious.
Born in 1970 in South Korea, Jeong received a B.F.A. and an M.F.A. both from Hongik University, as well as completing the Fine Arts doctoral program there in 2003. The artist’s creative process begins with a model photographed in the statement Hanbok, after which the image is then brought to life on canvas using a hyperrealistic approach. With some works taking up to 4 months to complete, the artist produces between 7 to 10 pieces a year.
Jeong Myoung Jo’s works have been exhibited in Germany, the Netherlands and Israel, in addition to being sold out at the Dubai Art Fair. Her works are collected by numerous corporates and institutions, including the Amore Pacific Group, Merck, Shinsegae Group, Hite Collection and the GANA Art Collection. Jeong’s works have also been popular at auction such as Seoul Auction and Sotheby’s.
