Gallery Sein Hosts Spring Infused in Petals – Jeon Ji Youn’s Solo Exhibition Explores the Cycles of Nature and Life
Jason Yim / Published March 11, 2025 02:24 AM
Jason Yim
Flowing-2407(1), 116.7x91cm mixed media on canvas, 2024, Courtesy of Gallery Sein
Gallery Sein will present Spring Infused in Petals, a solo exhibition by artist Jeon Ji Youn, from March 6 to March 27. This exhibition marks the beginning of spring, a season of renewal, and highlights Jeon’s long-standing exploration of organic structures and interwoven relationships between life, nature, and human existence.
At the core of Jeon’s work is the concept of Eolge, a term referring to the underlying framework or structure of an entity. In various fields, Eolge represents the skeletal framework of a building in architecture, the fundamental structure of a narrative in literature, and the foundational composition of a form in art. For Jeon, Eolge serves as a medium to depict the interconnected and ever-expanding nature of life and relationships. This concept has been central to her artistic practice since her residency at the National Goyang Studio in 2004, evolving to reflect the transformation of perspectives as one grows older. Her works capture the cyclical essence of life, embodying the duality of emptiness and fulfillment.
Flowing-2409(3), 73x61cm mixed media on panel, 2024, Courtesy of Gallery Sein
The color compositions in Jeon’s paintings symbolize the diversity of human existence. She perceives individuals as bearers of unique colors—some inherited at birth, others shaped by personal experiences, and some unconsciously absorbed from society. Her process begins with selecting a base in yellow or blue tones, followed by continuous experimentation with new color combinations to create harmony and contrast. Through subtle gradations or striking juxtapositions, her palette ultimately seeks to express beauty through balance.
Incorporating birchwood as an artistic medium allows Jeon to extend her work beyond two-dimensional surfaces into three-dimensional and spatial interpretations. The growth rings within the birchwood symbolize the accumulation of time and existence, infusing the artwork with a sense of depth and continuity. Since 2015, Jeon has actively utilized birchwood to reflect the cyclical nature of creation and dissolution within her Eolge concept. By encouraging tactile interaction, she invites viewers to physically engage with the work, offering a dynamic experience where new Eolge patterns emerge through movement and perspective shifts.
For Jeon, relationship is a multi-layered concept, encompassing one’s connection with oneself, family, society, nature, and the transcendent. She believes that self-awareness fosters healthier relationships with others and that inner stability is reinforced by trust and love toward a higher entity. The fluidity of these relationships mirrors the ever-changing nature of life, making Eolge a fundamental motif in her artistic expression.
Flowing-2409(1), 44.6x38.3cm mixed media on panel, 2024, Courtesy of Gallery Sein
Jeon incorporates stone powder into her works to convey a sense of visual and existential weight. The transformative quality of stone powder over time parallels the traces left by life’s journey. As countless particles unite to form a singular entity, they illustrate both the persistence and evolution of existence. The irregular layering of colors and natural textures creates a delicate equilibrium, expressing harmony within imperfection.
The term Petal Hem in the exhibition’s title extends beyond the notion of a simple flower petal; it signifies the intricate details of nature’s delicate structures. Meanwhile, Spring represents the awakening of life, as warmth resurfaces from the earth, bringing transformation and renewal. Through her artworks, Jeon seeks to encapsulate this gradual unfolding of vitality and the subtle resonance of inner emotions.
This exhibition invites visitors to experience the fusion of Eolge and spring, encouraging reflection on personal growth and change. Through Jeon’s work, viewers are encouraged to discover new hopes within their structures, immersing themselves in a moment where the organic flow of life and the essence of spring harmoniously intertwine.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
Flowing-2407(1), 116.7x91cm mixed media on canvas, 2024, Courtesy of Gallery Sein
Gallery Sein will present Spring Infused in Petals, a solo exhibition by artist Jeon Ji Youn, from March 6 to March 27. This exhibition marks the beginning of spring, a season of renewal, and highlights Jeon’s long-standing exploration of organic structures and interwoven relationships between life, nature, and human existence.
At the core of Jeon’s work is the concept of Eolge, a term referring to the underlying framework or structure of an entity. In various fields, Eolge represents the skeletal framework of a building in architecture, the fundamental structure of a narrative in literature, and the foundational composition of a form in art. For Jeon, Eolge serves as a medium to depict the interconnected and ever-expanding nature of life and relationships. This concept has been central to her artistic practice since her residency at the National Goyang Studio in 2004, evolving to reflect the transformation of perspectives as one grows older. Her works capture the cyclical essence of life, embodying the duality of emptiness and fulfillment.
Flowing-2409(3), 73x61cm mixed media on panel, 2024, Courtesy of Gallery Sein
The color compositions in Jeon’s paintings symbolize the diversity of human existence. She perceives individuals as bearers of unique colors—some inherited at birth, others shaped by personal experiences, and some unconsciously absorbed from society. Her process begins with selecting a base in yellow or blue tones, followed by continuous experimentation with new color combinations to create harmony and contrast. Through subtle gradations or striking juxtapositions, her palette ultimately seeks to express beauty through balance.
Incorporating birchwood as an artistic medium allows Jeon to extend her work beyond two-dimensional surfaces into three-dimensional and spatial interpretations. The growth rings within the birchwood symbolize the accumulation of time and existence, infusing the artwork with a sense of depth and continuity. Since 2015, Jeon has actively utilized birchwood to reflect the cyclical nature of creation and dissolution within her Eolge concept. By encouraging tactile interaction, she invites viewers to physically engage with the work, offering a dynamic experience where new Eolge patterns emerge through movement and perspective shifts.
For Jeon, relationship is a multi-layered concept, encompassing one’s connection with oneself, family, society, nature, and the transcendent. She believes that self-awareness fosters healthier relationships with others and that inner stability is reinforced by trust and love toward a higher entity. The fluidity of these relationships mirrors the ever-changing nature of life, making Eolge a fundamental motif in her artistic expression.
Flowing-2409(1), 44.6x38.3cm mixed media on panel, 2024, Courtesy of Gallery Sein
Jeon incorporates stone powder into her works to convey a sense of visual and existential weight. The transformative quality of stone powder over time parallels the traces left by life’s journey. As countless particles unite to form a singular entity, they illustrate both the persistence and evolution of existence. The irregular layering of colors and natural textures creates a delicate equilibrium, expressing harmony within imperfection.
The term Petal Hem in the exhibition’s title extends beyond the notion of a simple flower petal; it signifies the intricate details of nature’s delicate structures. Meanwhile, Spring represents the awakening of life, as warmth resurfaces from the earth, bringing transformation and renewal. Through her artworks, Jeon seeks to encapsulate this gradual unfolding of vitality and the subtle resonance of inner emotions.
This exhibition invites visitors to experience the fusion of Eolge and spring, encouraging reflection on personal growth and change. Through Jeon’s work, viewers are encouraged to discover new hopes within their structures, immersing themselves in a moment where the organic flow of life and the essence of spring harmoniously intertwine.
