Seungeun Suh

Since childhood, I have been dedicated to painting on hanji (traditional Korean paper) using various materials. Hanji holds countless layers of texture, much like the universe itself, and watching watercolor or ink soak in and spread across the surface always fills me with excitement. The subtle colors that emerge on the paper, shaped by countless variables rather than exact calculations, represent the greatest allure of Korean painting.

I combine this technique with fantastical and dreamlike themes, creating subjects that reflect my philosophy and emotions, allowing the viewer to experience a richer sense of feeling.

Since my first work after graduating from university, I have consistently focused on the theme of girls. Although the girl plays a significant compositional role in my paintings, the small objects, animals, insects, plants, and abstract shapes that accompany her, as well as the empty spaces in the paper, often hold deeper ideas and philosophy, encapsulating the theme of the work.

My philosophy is that we should not take even the smallest forms of life lightly, and we should be grateful for them. This belief is the foundation of the Succulent Girl’s creation. I was inspired by a succulent plant that maintained its greenery and eventually bloomed beautifully in a corner of my studio, despite the harsh conditions. The succulent flowered even in an environment where blooming seemed unlikely, demonstrating its incredible resilience.

Thus, I began incorporating the symbolism of the succulent into the girls in my work, breathing into them endurance, overcoming adversity, and newfound hope. This resulted in the visual combination of the succulent and the girl (human), blending the two forms into one. Through this fusion, the strength of the succulent plant found a place in the girl’s heart, and over time, the Succulent Girl evolved into an increasingly mystical and extraordinary being. She could represent a fairy from a storybook, a reflection of our own selves who live in the real world while preserving the innocence of a child, or even a wise and special entity full of centuries-old knowledge.

Each Succulent Girl embodies pure and powerful desires, with themes of reflection and healing for all the things in nature destroyed by humanity. Everything that appears alongside the succulent girl is imbued with visual meaning—collaborators, protectors, guides, or sources of help and fruitfulness. I also use my own abstract patterns to suggest hidden messages, and some tools carry metaphorical symbolism.

In this way, hanji, watercolor, ink, girls, various creatures, and objects all come together to create a dreamlike atmosphere, aiming to awaken the pure emotions buried deep within the hearts of those who view my work. I believe that such an awakening and transformation can make the world a more pure and warm place.

Perhaps, all of these stories can be felt simply by gazing into the clear eyes of the girl in my painting. The emotion conveyed through her eyes reflects my own feelings embedded in the work, and I believe that those who perceive it with their eyes and hearts share the same warm hopes as I do. Through the Succulent Girl, I hope to convey this shared desire for a better world, one in which people with such hopes come together to create something good.

Recently, I have introduced a new series titled 2Dan. 2Dan is a romanization of the Korean word “이단” (heretic), symbolizing young people who rebel against secular traditions or authority. Just as those who reject traditional ideas, authority, religion, or societal norms and assert their own beliefs are labeled heretics or outcasts, this series satirically addresses the absurdities and corruption of modern society. Through humor and a rebellious lens, I aim to express a critical awareness of societal issues and challenge the conventional views of the world.

In the 2Dan series, I depict these rebellious youths not merely as outcasts, but as individuals discovering powerful self-expression and new possibilities. In a world where innocence is continually compromised, the series explores the essence of humanity and portrays characters who, while rebellious, carry a deep message and strive to find new paths forward.

Through both the Succulent Girl and 2Dan series, I seek to awaken the purity within us, with the belief that this can make the world a kinder and more compassionate place.