Ji Young Yoon’s architectural art plays with light
Hi! Please tell us something about your life before you became a painter
I took a winding road to becoming a painter. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where I finished high school before earning my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2009. Soon afterwards, I pursued my interest in fashion, receiving my first MFA in Fashion Merchandising from the Academy of Art University in 2013. Then, over the next few years, I traveled the world, which included living for extended periods in Hamburg, Germany, and Santiago, Chile, where I learned German and Spanish. In 2018 i returned to San Francisco and started learning to paint in 2019. It’s been less than 3 years since I’ve been practicing oil painting and I absolutely love what I do.
Did traveling help you in a specific way concerning you art?
Through the adventures of exploring and experiencing various cultures, I gained a wider vision of the world and discovered my passion for fine art painting. In Fall of 2018, I returned to San Francisco and in August 2021 i received my second MFA in Fine Art Painting from the Academy of Art University. My oil paintings depict combinations of nature and the city, which are prevalent in the San Francisco Bay Area, and display atmospheric views with an emphasis on the relationship between sunlight and its surroundings.
Where do you see yourself right now?
With less than 3 years of painting experience, I consider myself as a beginner even though I earned my MFA degree in painting recently. Perhaps, a semi-professional artist I could say.
How do you call your personal style?
The hard edged geometric style of mine, which I call “Illuminated Geometrics”, is still new to me since the first painting of this kind, “Indian Summer in San Francisco”, was done in September 2021. Since then, I have made 2 more pieces in the same style. Illuminated Geometrics focuses on the light and shadows of atmospheric views in geometric shapes with harmonious colors.
Why hard edge painting?
As I learned to paint, I realized that I tend to create hard edges and clean lines. They often could be avoided in paintings, but I thought if that is something that I naturally have strengths in, then why not highlight them. And by simplifying the shapes, I am drawing the viewers’ eyes to the overall atmosphere views rather than small details to enjoy. I don’t use masking tapes. All the straight lines and edges are created free hand with brushes. I am just quite into doing it that way at least for now even though it takes much more time and attention.
Have you already exhibited in art galleries?
I am a recent MFA graduate, and I have been painting full time since August 2021. So, these last few months, I have been showing my works at different galleries.
How’s the feedback from them so far?
I have been getting really good feedbacks on my new style, “Illuminated Geometrics,” from established art professionals and a gallery. I am in the process of creating a series of it.
Do you have a favorite piece (from your own work)?
“Indian Summer in San Francisco” is definitely my favorite so far. It’s the first painting I can call it with a style of mine with ideas differentiating from the traditional works as my previous pieces.
Is a collaboration with other artist planned?
I have not yet, but I would love to.
Ji Young Yoon ★ Artist resume
Education
2021 MFA in Fine Art – Painting, Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
2013 MFA in Fashion Merchandising, Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
President’s Honor List
2009 BA in Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Honors, Dean’s List
Group Exhibitions
2021 Light and Shadow, San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) Gallery
San Francisco, CA
Juror: Emebet B. Korn, Curator, Art Consultant, Owner, Desta Gallery, Mill Valley, CA
2021 Artists Choice, San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) Gallery
San Francisco, CA
Juror: Alan Bamberger, Art Consultant
2021 Open Theme, Las Laguna Art Gallery
laslagunaartgallery.com
2021 Coastal Landscapes, Elisabeth Jones Art Center
Portland, OR
2021 August Artist Salon, San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) Gallery
San Francisco, CA
2021 Bold. Colors!, San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) Gallery
San Francisco, CA
Juror: Christine Koppes, Curator and Director of Public Programs, The Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose, San Jose, CA
2021 Verdant, San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) Gallery
San Francisco, CA
Juror: Andra Norris, Owner, Andra Norris Gallery, Burlingame, CA
2021 Shades of Purple, Camelback Gallery
camelbackgallery.com/shadesofpurple2021exhibition
2021 Colour, Gallery Ring
galleryring.org/index.html
2021 Spring Show Exhibition, Academy of Art University
springshow.academyart.edu
2020 Spring Show Exhibition, Academy of Art University
springshow.academyart.edu
2019 Jewelry and Metal Arts Exhibition, Academy of Art University
Atelier Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2013 Spring Show Exhibition, Academy of Art University
Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
Awards
2021 Juror’s Choice, Light and Shadow, San Francisco Women Artists Gallery
San Francisco, CA
Juror: Emebet B. Korn, Curator, Art Consultant, Owner, Desta Gallery, Mill Valley, CA
2021 Bronze Award, Shades of Purple 2021 International Juried Painting
Competition, Camelback Gallery
camelbackgallery.com/shadesofpurple2021exhibition
2021 Award of Merit, Colour Theme Contest, Gallery Ring
galleryring.org/index.html
Experience
02.2013 ~ 06.2013 Merchandising and Visual Merchandising Intern, Manika Jewelry
San Francisco, CA
05.2013 ~ 05.2013 Window Display Assistant, Westfield San Francisco Centre
San Francisco, CA
09.2012 ~ 12.2012 Visual Merchandising and Merchandising Intern, Chanel
San Francisco, CA
08.2011 ~ 12.2011 Styling and Visual Merchandising Intern, MaxMara
San Francisco, CA
Commissions
2021 Jaime Heidenreich, Sylt
2021 Jaime Heidenreich, Oberägeri
Thanks a lot, Ji Young Yoon.
Instagram: @jiyoungyoonart
Web: jiyoungyoonart.com
