Jang Koal
South Korea
Jang Koal is a young and upcoming Korean pop-surrealist artist based in Seoul. Blending cartoon-like forms with Eastern painting techniques, Her works, painted on traditional Korean paper called "hanji" made from the inner bark of paper mulberry, are reminiscent of the tradition of watercolor portraits (emphasizing the beauty of their female subjects) that have been inherited since the Joseon Dynasty. It is perhaps due to such careful preparation that Koal's works, while employing colorful illustration-like techniques, appear to harbor an air of timeless mystery. The women that Koal depicts, despite their quiet disposition, possess a strong sense of resolve and determination within. At the same time, they seem to embody the reticent spirituality of an artist who seeks new values beyond historical cultural traditions.Disney’ s worldview of people, animals, plants and insects coexisting in a borderless manner is an important common point for Jang, who rejects the idea of human superiority in nature. Jang Koal's drawing of the Mickey Mouse looked like anthropomorphic portrait is an visual methapher that she belives Mickey is one of our close friend.