South Korea natives and friends Sihyeon Park and Jiwon Lee will share their culture in a combined art exhibit, “Confluence of Scenes,” on display at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts through May 26.
Park, who lives in San Diego, will show pieces she painted in the United States in the past five years, including a recent series titled, “Sun and Moon.” Lee, who lives in Daegu, South Korea, plans to exhibit the “Island Series,” which she drew based on her experiences while traveling in the United States.
“After meeting in college, studying together and making memories together, we have gone on to live our own separate paths in life, including marriage and immigration, and have each drawn pictures,” Park said in an email. “Although we have flowed through different waterways, Korea and the United States, by participating in this ‘Confluence of Scenes’ exhibition together we had the opportunity to meet again and find not only past memories, but also commonalities between the scenes in each of our paintings.”
Park was born in Busan, South Korea but moved to San Diego in 2015 for her husband’s job. The 41-year-old artist said she shows the beauty of Korea by using traditional Korean paper, natural powdered colors, and painting techniques that adhere to the traditional elements.
She said she is comfortable using these materials, which allow her to pass on Korean techniques and express her feelings.
“I discovered ‘wishes, symbols, happiness, etc.’ in my new life in the U.S.,” Park said in her email. “It was the ‘Deja vu’ that I felt in ‘Minhwa,’ a traditional Korean folk art, which serves as my painting inspiration. ‘Vuja de’ (a familiar but new feeling) is all about my perspective on both Korean and American cultures. Creativity stems from different viewpoints, like ‘Vuja de.’”
Sihyeon Park created this ‘Sun, Moon and Superstition’ artwork.
(Courtesy Sihyeon Park)
Park said her work provides a fresh perspective by combining representative Korean paintings, symbolic images of the U.S. and her personal story.
“This implies that, ultimately, our happiness is universal,” she said.
Lee, 42, was born in Daegu, South Korea and still lives there. She borrows the traditional Korean painting motif, “Gimyeongjeoljihwa,” and combines it with modern images of what she has experienced. She expresses the “small world” or “small landscape painting” that exists in the imaginary mind.
Through this, Lee pursues a modern reinterpretation of traditional painting.
Lee said her work explores the narrative of “communication,” integrating the essence of everyday materials with diverse realms and weaving them into a unified context and singular artwork. Her fascination with penguins, which began as a college student, and her affection for duck toys nurtured through parenthood, along with the brushes she uses and the human body, all serve as pivotal inspirations, she said in an email.
“I am drawn to the notion of dissecting these elements and amalgamating them with other spheres I wish to connect with,” Lee said. “This approach enables a realm of endless creativity, tailored to each individual’s narrative and experiences, fostering perpetual inspiration and evolution in my work.”
Jiwon Lee’s paintings reflect Korean culture.
(Courtesy Sihyeon Park)
Lee said her creations embody the motifs and elegance of Oriental art, while embracing modern and fashionable materials and tools. Her techniques incorporate “the myriad stories embedded in our lives,” she said.
“I meticulously plan and produce artworks that ensure these distinct elements coalesce harmoniously,” she said.
Both Park and Lee majored in Oriental painting, a genre of traditional painting, at Hongik University, an art education institution in Korea. The students learned traditional art techniques such as calligraphy, the Four Gentlemen, seal engraving, landscape painting and color painting in addition to the history and aesthetics of art.
Lee earned a master’s in Oriental painting and Park earned a master’s in design management.
After graduating, Park worked as a graphic designer for four years in Korea, but her career was interrupted when she immigrated to the United States and raised two children. After teaching art in 2019, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an artist in earnest in 2020.
Jiwon Lee created this ‘Red Island’ acrylic on canvas.
(Courtesy Sihyeon Park)
After graduating, Lee worked as an artist’s assistant and participated in art exhibitions. She began to develop her own art and exhibit in 2015, and has seen her artwork on display in numerous art museums and galleries in Korea.
“Artist Jiwon Lee’s paintings can be said to reflect Korean culture, and my work has both Korean and American cultures,” Park said. “Both of our works are based in Korea, but since I currently live in the United States, I show Korean paintings that express more American culture.
“The biggest element when we depict Korean culture in paintings is ‘motif.’ The style and themes of paintings that were popular during Korea’s ‘Joseon Dynasty’ in the late 14th century to early 20th century were adopted.”
“Confluence of Scenes” is free and open to the public at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 1 to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Parking is free, but parking passes are required on weekdays and can be picked up in the arts center’s main office located in the lobby. Viewing hours may be affected by performances. For more information, call 858-668-4693.
