“Art is what makes me true to myself” says a literati painting artist Eunhae Jeon

▲ Literati painting artist Eunhae Jeon

[Ars Longa, Vita Brevis]

“Life is short and art is long” thus began Hippocrates. A sentence such as this gives us a time to think about our life. The Greek physician left his insight two thousand years ago and it still is quoted by the people today. Surely, the sayer lived short but the saying is long lasting. Ever since civilization has begun, many people have appeared and disappeared from the stage of life without leaving memorable works but the masterpieces a few have left still live with us. Even the artists who created the masterpieces died but their works seem eternal. Critics have argued over why some art works are eternal and presented their interpretations. While critics argue on this seemingly answerless questions, however, artists create regardless their works might live short or long. This is because art for them is not an object to argue but means to carry on their lives, like a literati painting artist Eunhae Jeon says “Art is what makes me true to myself.” 

 

[Eunhae Jeon]

She grew up with a great interest in art but it was after her children got into university that she started recollecting the unfulfilled interest. She knocked door of cultural centers at first to strengthen the basics and was taught under instruction of calligrapher Dado Park and of literati painters Seewoo Yang and Gunja Kim for around 10 years. She made appearance in numerous exhibitions and competitions during her 28 years of career as an artist and never looked back once despite reluctant support of her family. “I understand my role as a wife and a mother in my family but that didn’t mean I should sacrifice my own passion in art because I feel myself when I create something. This is a gift for me to live my life fully without regret.” 

 

[Style]

She finds inspiration from change of seasons and flow of nature and delivers the inspiration through free touch of brush. She avoids following the traditional virtue of the styles such as ‘dashing off with one stroke of a brush’ but applies the brush several times with special paints alongside different tones and contrasts. She uses elements of watercolor, fabric art and calligraphy to create a unique work every time. “I intend to mix various genres into a single work in an effort to create my own style. Traditional virtues can be used as good references but they should not fetter the artists of today. After all, artists are those who break the mold in order to create something new.” 

 

[Exhibitions & Awards]

DoubleTree Gallery, New York

Korean Art Hall, Insa-dong, Seoul

Grand Prize at Haseo Art Exhibition of Korea

Special Prize at Grand Calligraphy Exhibition of Korea

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