Artist Statement

This project, cantered on the motif of a garden, involves creating abstract paintings that delve into my life experiences through a visual exploration. It seeks to uncover the coexistence of thought and perception within the medium of painting. By reflecting on social and cultural isolation, I aim to establish a sense of connection through a diverse range of imagery. My work records time, space, and emotions, employing a variety of complex perspectives grounded in the flatness of painting. This method allows for an exploration of new ways to understand and experience the world, navigating the realms of concepts and freedom. I embrace the ambiguity and uncertainty that exists between consciousness and the creative process. To illustrate this, I use contrasting elements in my paintings, such as opposing colours and the interplay between empty and filled spaces, to evoke a sense of inner turmoil and cultural complexity. This makes the familiar seem unfamiliar, challenging viewers’ perceptions. The act of painting itself connects me to the world, offering a deeper understanding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical movement was restricted, my garden became a sanctuary, prompting reflections on my identity as an immigrant. The simple observation of a blade of grass moving in the wind revived my senses and highlighted the delicate yet resilient nature of life. These experiences, combined with a background in traditional East Asian painting, have profoundly influenced my work, inspiring a focus on the beauty and complexity of living beings.

Biography

Okhee Choi is a Korean artist who lives in Australia. She worked in the art industry for a long time throughout her life in Korea until she migrated to Australia upon marriage. Settling in new country and culture was an opportunity for her to deeply contemplate her inner identity, which became her turning point on her direction of work. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Fine Arts from Sung shin Women’s University in Oriental painting and Master of Fine Arts at Royal Melbourne Institute Technology university. She has participated in multiple exhibitions around Korea, Australia,USA, China.

Contact

Email: oki4620@gmail.com

Instagram: Okhee_choi

Education

2022 Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Master of Fine Arts, Australia

2010 Sungshin Women’s University, Master of Fine Arts (Oriental painting), Korea

2007 Sungshin Women’s University, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Oriental painting), Korea

2002 Seoul Art high school, Korea

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibition

2025 Strange Views of The Garden, No Vacancy Gallery, VIC, Australia

2024 Garden: Space, Reflection, Presence, CICA Museum(Residency), Korea

2009 In a place of neither the true nor the false, KWANHOON Gallery, Seoul, Korea

Group Exhibition

2024 ‘Small works Art Prize 2024’, Brunswick Street Gallery, Australia, Melbourne

2023 ’Buy or Cry’ Sol Gallery, Australia, Melbourne

‘Come find me’ , Korea-Australia Arts Foundation,Australia, Sydney

2010 Body ,1 Gallery, Seoul

2009 Interchange between Korea and China-Miart Gallery, China

Talk ‘talk’, Gate Gallery, Seoul

Flower, Renaissance, Lotte Art Gallery, Seoul

2008 Scattered World , Jeon-buk Province Art Museum, Jean-buk

Myth in us, classroom project, Total Museum, Seoul

Modern art of Korea, America and Japan -ASTO Museum, USA

CCOT Gallery, Seoul

Seeing, Reading, Writing, Removing, Kyung Huang Gallery, Seoul

Dream Exhibition on swing, Lotte Gallery, Seoul

Look, Sujung Hall at Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul

Thy Boa Snake, KTF The Orange Gallery, Seoul

2007 Young Artist the Scent of a Flower, CCOT Gallery, Seoul

Interchange between Korea and China, 21c Gallery, Dae-Jeon

Step by Step, Sujung Hall at Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul

A Black and White drawing, imagination, attention-Gallery Da, Seoul

Awards

2022 The ADFAS(Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society), Yarra Branch,

young or emerging artist award for an outstanding MFA painting and

drawing graduate.

2007 Angyeon art contest the specially selected prize

Kyunghyang art contest the first prize