Paris based.
ARTIST
YOONDAEGI
Currently working in Montmartre, Paris, artist Yoondaegi creates paintings that quietly and minimally express the loneliness and emptiness felt by modern individuals.
Using bold contrasts and minimalist expressions centered around a restrained palette, Yoondaegi delves deeply into the intimate aspects of human emotion.
Though seemingly simple in appearance, his works leave room for the viewer to project their emotions and narratives through the reserved use of color and the deliberately omitted facial expressions of his figures. This visual language transcends the physical act of rest, suggesting a connection to one’s inner self and the contemplative nature of time spent in stillness.
Yoondaegi expands the quiet contemplation of modern loneliness from a mere symbol of comfort to a psychological space. His soft yet profound use of color guides the viewer not only to appreciate the visual beauty of his works but also to uncover the narratives hidden within their own inner worlds.
Entering his artistic realm goes beyond simply observing art; it offers a journey where one confronts their own inner stillness and the deep emotions that reside within.
PROJECT OLIVE
Starting with Project Blue in Seoul, which continued until 2021, Yoondaegi established his artistic world by focusing on themes of quiet reflection and inner solitude. His works distill the complex emotions of modern individuals into simple, restrained forms, offering viewers a space to find meaning even within loneliness. Yoondaegi's practice delves into the psychological comfort and healing that arise from physical rest and stillness, emphasizing the visual evocation of human emotions.
In 2024, Project Olive, launched in Paris, marked a pivotal new chapter in Yoondaegi's artistic journey. In this project, he adopted the green of the olive leaf as his signature color, extending its meaning beyond a mere hue. The olive leaf symbolizes strength and the enduring vitality of nature. Through it, the artist expresses the resilience, recovery, and inner strength of human existence. For Yoondaegi, the olive also serves as a symbol of peace and healing, conveying the message that renewal and growth can occur even in solitude and stillness.
In this new project, Yoondaegi further explores the psychological connection between objects in his paintings and human emotions, blending the complexity of human feelings with the elements of these objects. His works encourage personal introspection and empower viewers to discover their own stories within them. The use of olive color and form goes beyond mere visual beauty, inviting the audience to confront their own moments of quietude and recognize the hidden will and strength within themselves.
Project Olive is more than just the use of the color green; it is an artistic attempt to revisit the meaning of existence through the deep connection between the figures and objects in his paintings, offering a path for inner growth. Through this, Yoondaegi continues to create not just visual art but also a psychological space where the audience can uncover their own stories amidst stillness.
