JEANNIE RHYU is a Korean Canadian artist, based in Queens, New York. In her surreal visions, Rhyu explores her emotional impressions of reality as she traces ancestral memories by deconstructing and reinterpreting her cultural visual traditions. She paints inspired by history, folklore, rituals, fairy tales, and transcultural femininity, as well as the magic of memories. Rhyu studies historical artifacts from museums, traditional ritualistic customs and objects, and visual motifs from documented history. She brings elements from her research into a new light as she transforms the existing visual language into symbolic vessels of memories that connect her to her roots. She is also inspired by native plants, emblematic animals, and mythical creatures, which she uses as symbols in her images to explore the past while renewing a connection between humans, nature, and spirits. Rhyu merges the traditional and the contemporary to assemble colorful realms that float between surrealism, folklore, and dreams.
Jeannie Rhyu received a B.A. from Columbia University in the City of New York, and will be attending Columbia University in the City of New York for her M.F.A. in September 2024. Her work has been exhibited internationally in shows in New York, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Seoul, Beijing, and London. Selected exhibitions include shows at The Border Gallery (New York), Seefood Room (Hong Kong), Spring/Break Art Show (New York), Shin Gallery (New York), Field Projects and Tutu Gallery (New York), and Leroy Neiman Gallery (New York). She has given artist talks at Columbia University and for community-based organizations. When she isn’t making art, she teaches art at 92nd Street Y.