Jong Cheol Jeon is a Korean artist who began his career as an installation artist in the 1990s. He received a degree in art from Kyungpook National University and furthered his studies at the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Kunste in Stuttgart, Germany.
Jeon gained recognition for his works in numerous art museum projects and biennales. One of his most notable works is the Installation Landscape between 20 and 21, which was created as part of the KBS Millennium Project Korea 2000. This installation featured Namsan Tower in Seoul as the totem pole of the 21st century and presented a phenomenal spectacle with the theme of reconciliation and coexistence between earth and sky, human (civilization), and nature.
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| ▲ Acrylic, medium on Canvas, 2023, Courtesy of Jong cheol Jeon |
In the early 2000s, Jeon transitioned from installation art to photography. He gained inspiration from the sky on Jeju Island, capturing it as a message from heaven in his photographs. In his work, Jeon aims to express the coexistence of earth and sky, human beings and nature as a metaphor for positivity and hope.
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| ▲ Acrylic, medium on Canvas,162.2cm x 112.1cm, 2023, Courtesy of Jong cheol Jeon |
Jeon's work has been exhibited in numerous group exhibitions, including the 2021 Affordable Art Festival at the Eunsook Cho Gallery in Seoul and the 2019 A West Sea Peace Art Project "An Era of Peace, A Peaceful Land" at the Incheon Foundation for Arts & Center in Incheon City. He also participated in the Jeju Biennale 2017 Tourism, A Boundary Line of Between, held at the Jeju Museum of Art–Alddreu Airfield in
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| ▲ Acrylic, medium on Canvas, 162.2cm x 112.1cm, 2023, Courtesy of Jong cheol Jeon |
Jeon's works have been featured in various planning exhibitions, such as A Little Sculpture - A Big Dream at the Gana Art Gallery in Seoul and Exploration of Light and Color at the Seoul Arts Center. He has also participated in international exhibitions, including the Gong-San Grand Arts Exhibition at Dong-A Gallery in Seoul, the Jahres Ausstellung 1992 at the Stuttgart Stadt Museum in Germany, and the Exhibition of Korea and Japan at the Cendai Gallery in Japan.
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| ▲ Acrylic, medium on Canvas, 116.8 x 80.3cm, 2023, Courtesy of Jong cheol Jeon |
Jeon has received numerous awards for his work, including the first prize at the 2nd Gong San Grand Arts Exhibition at Dong-A Gallery in Seoul in 1995, the Excellence Award at the Korea Unity Dearest Sculpture Exhibition at the Seoul Art Center in 1995, and the Prize at the Jung-Aang Biennale at the Seoul Museum of Art in 1995.
Jeon's works are included in various collections, such as the symbol tower installation sculptures at the ChilGok Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, the Korea Land&Housing Corporation new office building(LH) in Incheon, and installation sculptures at various locations in Busan, Daegu, and Gyeonggi-do.
Meanwhile, he has recently met audiences again with the Heavenly Message series. He describes this exhibition as another sculptural painting that integrates his previous works of photography, sculpture, and installation art. The exhibition is being held at CAFORE Gallery in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province until May 4th.
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