Artist based in Brooklyn, NY
Yeonji Chung
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I grew up in Seoul, South Korea and moved to the United States when I was 18. I’m currently based in Brooklyn, New York. I always loved to draw and paint as a kid, which naturally led me to attend art school for my undergraduate studies. At the time, I was still not sure about becoming an artist because I simply didn’t know how. As I made more paintings during undergrad, however, I fell more in love with painting and decided to commit to it.
Afternoon, 2024, oil on canvas, 30”x40”
“I start with a sketch based on observations or photographs of my everyday surroundings—most often intimate, domestic moments in my bedroom, shower, studio, or with my partner . . . This process of transforming familiar, cherished moments into new and unfamiliar images deepens my appreciation for everyday life, elevating the ordinary beyond the fleeting."
Golden Hour, 2025, oil on canvas, 34”x28”
Left: Preliminary drawing. Right: Cafe, 2025, oil on canvas, 40"x30"
Where do ideas start for you?
I make paintings using abstract shapes. I start with a sketch based on observations or photographs of my everyday surroundings—most often intimate, domestic moments in my bedroom, shower, studio, or with my partner. From these sketches, I extract shapes and compile an inventory. I then select two to three shapes that resonate with me, and use them as a starting point for a new composition. This process of transforming familiar, cherished moments into new and unfamiliar images deepens my appreciation for everyday life, elevating the ordinary beyond the fleeting.
Preliminary drawing
Studio Visit, 2024, oil on canvas, 28”x34”
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
I used to make observational paintings of everyday moments, such as landscapes, portraits of my family and friends, and still lifes in my apartment. After being introduced to Alex Katz, I started to reduce and simplify things in my paintings. I was amazed by his ability to paint everything look so easy and simple, yet powerful. I cropped and zoomed in. I blocked in colors. Then, I started to see the shapes. This led me to a transition from observational to abstract painting, where I began focusing on shapes and eventually arrived at my current style.
Untitled, 2025, oil on canvas, 20”x18”
Many artists live by their routines, what does that look like for you?
I don’t look for sweets when I’m not in the studio, but I always crave them when I am. So I always keep snacks like chocolate in my studio.
I used to like working in the morning in the past, but these days, the time of day doesn’t matter as much. I think it keeps changing.
Access Denied, Dock 72, Brooklyn, NY. Photo: Federico Savini
Who are your biggest influences?
My early influences included Alex Katz, Fairfield Porter, Lois Dodd, Henri Matisse, Félix Vallotton, and Édouard Vuillard. More recently, I’ve been influenced by Miyoko Ito, Thomas Nozkowski, Fran Shalom, Rebecca Morris, Holly Coulis, and Mary Heilmann. Conversations with my MFA advisors and peers also helped me shape my current practice a lot—Nat Meade, Laurel Sparks, Siha Park, Herok, and Ayoung Yoo.
Studio view
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
My undergraduate advisor Richard Hull told everyone in class to stand while we paint, and I’ve followed that advice ever since. Looking back, I realize that standing has allowed my whole body to fully engage with the physicality of the paint, the brush, and the canvas in a way that sitting never did. It has helped me more closely observe the materiality of oil paint and become more aware of the speed and character of each brushstroke I make.
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
Whenever I have concerns about a painting or about being an artist, the answer has always been to make more paintings. The act of making often brings you the answer and reveals where to go next. So my advice would be: just keep making.
Artist in the studio
Stay up to date with Yeonji Chung
Website yeonjichung.com
Instagram @yeonjchng