Ga Sujeng
Place of birth & current location:
Republic of Korea
Instagram: @gasujeng
About the artist:
Ga Sujeng is an artist, currently living and working in South Korea. She is known for painting the portraits of individuals that are familiar to the public, such as movie stars. She aims to communicate with audiences through her artworks and her own artistic language, which is “colour”. Ga Sujeng's works are extremely intense in terms of colour and texture and considered as very distinctive.
About the gallery:
JW Fine Art aims to expand the culture and art via many projects and exhibitions. It attempts to promote Korean art through international and cultural exchange, and encourages Korean artists to take a step forward to the real art world. The gallery aims to grow together with the artists by continuously providing a creative environment and inspiration. JW Fine Art will become a new trend in Korean art and will continue to contribute to healthy and world-wide Korean art.
Father and Son, 118.3 × 100.0 (cm), oil on canvas, 2020
If you were to be interviewed by the press (TV/Radio) with your artwork – how would you describe your work to stand out from other exhibitors?
I personally think the boundary between traditional art and digital art is getting receded due to the development of digital media. My artwork still showcases unique characteristics of oil painting. Every time I work on my art I try to demonstrate and emphasise every uniqueness that the oil painting possesses. Painting colour and matière is my major interest.
Man in pink jacket 3, 103.0 × 68.0 (cm), oil on canvas, 2018
Where do you get your inspiration?
- I watch a lot of movies. Movies inspire me in so many ways. I really enjoy encountering new characters in the movies and observing their characteristics.
Which are your favourite artists?
- David Hockney is certainly my favourite artist! His work is still energetic despite his advanced age; I have the greatest respect for him in that sense. I always promise myself that I will be an artist like him who is not afraid of trying new things and challenges.
Studio image
What other hobbies do you have?
- I like dancing. I have enjoyed dancing since elementary school, and I used to be a professional dancer in a dance team when I was in my twenties. I stopped dancing professionally, it was hard to hold down a job and dancing at the same time, but I still love it. I still dance from time to time when I work on my paintings.
What does your work aim to say?
- 'Colour' is an element that inspires so many artists. My work aims to say that when the colour meets the person's facial expression and gesture, it creates such a great energy and I believe in that synergy effect.
Two Men with fedora, 91.0×116.8 (cm), oil on canvas, 2014
What’s your background?
- I was born in Taean in Chungcheong-namdo, in South Korea. It is a small peaceful village close to the ocean.
What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
- I had a big family, four generations, we lived under one roof, and my house was always crowded every holiday. My grandfather was an architect, therefore many co-workers always came over to my house for the dinner (it was and still is quite a common thing to do in Korea). There were always many people around me; I grew up in a very crowded environment with lots of people. I think maybe this is why I like people. Perhaps, my interest in people started from this childhood memory.