Oonju Chun

My work has no agenda. There are no pre-conceived images or intellectual considerations. It is not allegorical. For me, painting is instinctual. The reason why I paint is because it carries a voice that cannot be expressed by my words.

Painting has evolved into much more of a personal creative process for me in that, as life continues, as it does for all, my work documents my artistic decisions which no one can duplicate. The years of my life have provided me purpose and sense of direction, allowing me to be more honest with my work. I am not trying to be understood as an artist. When I walk up to a blank canvas, what happens is a spontaneous visual reaction with each stroke of line or color. I relinquish the responsibility to create meaning, however on a certain level, that is the more meaningful aspect of why I paint.

I have lived in the United States now for over 40 years, but culturally, I am strongly rooted in my Korean identity. My work inherently merges these two influences. While I identify with the quiet minimalistic sensibilities of Eastern aesthetics, I am always drawn to the rawness of particular Western art.

The most I could hope for from my viewers is that they are able to experience a similar emoti...

BFA in Painting/Drawing from University of Utah

Solo:
"Unconsious Images", Weber County Bldg,
Ogden, Ut 2018
Bountiful Davis Art Center, Bountiful, Ut 2018
Phillips Gallery, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2018
Phillips Gallery, Salt Lake City, Utah 2016
Elaine R. Stephens Gallery, Pleasant Valley
Library, Ogden, Utah, 2015
Phillips Gallery, Salt Lake City, Utah 2014
Art Barn- Finch Lane Gallery, Salt Lake City
Arts Council, Utah, 2012
Library Gallery, Salt Lake City Library, Utah,
2010
Yoko Japanese Restaurant Gallery,
Herndon,Virginia, 2005
Group:
Phillips Gallery, Summber Group Show 2018
Phillips Gallery, 2017
Phillips Gallery, Summer Group Show 2015
Springville Museum Spring Salon, Utah 2015
“On the Brink” Invitational Group Exhibit, Ellsworth
Gallery, Santa Fe, 2015
Utah Arts & Museum State 2014 Painting
Competition, Rio Gallery
Terzian Galleries, Park City, Utah, 2014
Phillips Gallery, Holiday Gro...