BUSAN, b. 1977

Hwang Hyeyoung develops her practice around the central figure of the “girl.” In her work, the girl is a symbolic being who transcends specific gender and age. Through this figure, Hwang reflects her own fragility, immaturity, and honesty, unfolding stories that resonate with her personal journey of growth. She expresses deep empathy for those experiencing the turbulent waves of adolescence, portraying the moments of growth encountered over time by both the girl in her paintings and the artist herself in reality. The forest in which the girl resides symbolizes the trials of adolescence; the expression of diverse emotions, the courage to confront threats and anxieties, and the adventurous spirit to explore new challenges and unknown worlds are all depicted as integral parts of the process of growing up.