Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Rhee Seund Ja (3 June 1918 – 8 March 2009) was a South Korean painter, engraver, draughtswoman, and illustrator. She also designed tapestries and mosaics. She was a prolific artist with more than 1,000 paintings, 700 prints, 250 ceramics, and numerous drawings.
Life and Career
Seund Ja Rhee was born on 3 June 1918, in Jinju, Korea. She showed an early interest in art and began studying traditional Korean painting at the Seoul Academy of Fine Arts. In 1947, she traveled to France to pursue further artistic education, where she studied engraving and lithography at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Seund Ja Rhee’s artistic style was heavily influenced by both traditional Korean art and Western modernism. Her works often featured bold colors, fluid brushwork, and a sense of rhythm and movement. She was particularly known for her abstract landscapes and depictions of nature.
Rhee gained recognition for her artistic talent, and her works were exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world. She held exhibitions in countries such as France, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Rhee’s artworks were well-received, and she received critical acclaim for her ability to blend Eastern and Western artistic traditions.
Seund Ja Rhee passed away on 8 March 2009, at the age of 91. Her death marked the end of a prolific artistic career that spanned several decades.
Award and Legacy
Throughout her career, Seund Ja Rhee received several prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to the arts. Seund Ja Rhee was appointed the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France in 1991. This is a prestigious award given by the French government to recognize significant contributions to the arts and literature.
Seund Ja Rhee’s artistic legacy continues to influence and inspire contemporary artists in South Korea and beyond. Her unique style, blending traditional Korean elements with modern techniques, has made a significant impact on the art scene. Rhee’s artworks can be found in major museums, galleries, and private collections worldwide, preserving her artistic legacy for future generations to appreciate.
Her contribution to the development of Korean contemporary art has been widely recognized, and her works continue to be celebrated for their vibrancy, innovation, and cultural significance. Seund Ja Rhee’s artistic achievements have solidified her place as one of South Korea’s most influential and respected artists.
On 3 June 2016, Google celebrated Rhee Seund Ja’s 98th birthday with a doodle.