Im E-jee | MetaCanvas Gallery

I used to paint only dark, anguished pictures. One day I thought, “If people feel happiness and warmth when they look at a painting, isn’t that art’s great social role?” Since then I have painted happiness. I, and many others, feel the greatest happiness when enjoying dessert. The simple, regular beauty of a dessert’s form, its colorful hues, its sweet taste and scent: dessert, which is not merely something to eat but a work of art in itself, is the inspiration for my work. I am Im E-jee, an artist who paints happiness.

Biography

Education

2014: Duksung Women’s University, Oriental Painting and History (magna cum laude)
2016: Master’s degree, Oriental Painting, Hongik University Graduate School
2022: Currently enrolled in Art Education, Hanyang University Graduate School of Education

Solo exhibitions

2021 Dasom Gallery, Seoul
2018 Asia Bodo Underground Hyu Gallery, Seoul
2018 Yeolharu Gallery, Seoul
2018 Dasom Gallery, Seoul
2018 Ohuen Gallery, Incheon
2014 SMAF, Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center, Seoul

Group exhibitions

2022 Seoul Art Show, COEX, Seoul
2022 Seoul Illustration Fair vol. 13, COEX, Seoul
2022 Busan International Gallery Art Fair, BEXCO, Busan
2021 Seoul Illustration Fair vol. 11, COEX, Seoul
2019 Curated Drawing Exhibition, Yeonhong Art Museum, Goheung
2018 Songpa Young Artists 2, Yesong Gallery, Seoul
2017 Songpa Young Artists 1, Yesong Gallery, Seoul
2016 SOAF, COEX, Seoul
2015 MAY FLY VII, Seogyo Art Experiment Center, Seoul
2015 Happiness Essay Exhibition, Alternative Space Noon, Gyeonggi-do
2015 Master’s Degree Exhibition, Hongik University Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul
2015 Kyungmin Museum of Contemporary Art Special Exhibition, Gyeonggi-do
2015 Wawon Exhibition, Hongik University Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul
2015 Hwagae Sijeol (When Flowers Bloom), Ara Art Center, Seoul
2015 Pilmuk Exhibition, Hongik University Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul
2014 Wawon Exhibition, Hongik University Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul
2014 Preview Exhibition, Gyeomjae Jeong Seon Art Museum, Seoul
2013 Evergreen Artists Exhibition, Guri Art Hall, Gyeonggi-do
2013 ASYAAF, Culture Station Seoul 284 (former Seoul Station), Seoul
2013 Korea Women’s Art Competition, Korea Art Museum, Seoul
2013 2nd Korea Art Exhibition, Galaxy Gallery, Songzhuang
2013 Love in Chelsea Exhibition, Ku House, New York
2013 Contemporary Art Small Picture Festival, Global Gallery, Seoul
2012 Korea–Turkey International Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition, Korea Art Museum, Seoul
2011 Korea Painting Competition, Seoul Museum of Art (Gyeonghuigung Annex), Seoul

Awards

2013 Special Selection, Korea Women’s Art Competition
2012 Excellence Award, “Like Gangdong” UCC Video Contest
2011 Prize, Korea Painting Competition

Activities

2021 Creative Experience Program, talent donation (Songpa Library)
2019 Art collaboration with the cosmetics brand BOYHOOD
2019 Sejong Art Market Soso (first and second half)
2018 Songpa Young Artist Festival: Hanseong Baekje Culture Festival Art Market
2018 Artist selected for the Songpa-gu Young Artist Discovery Project
2018 Creative Experience Program, talent donation (Songpa Library)
2017 Songpa Young Artist Festival Art Market
2014 Illustrations for the poetry collection Missing Person Report by poet Kim Sang-kyung; online goods at Idus and PieceOfMood