Joo JaeBum : Pixels as Painting

This OVR, presented in collaboration with CONX, features pixel-based works by JaeBum Joo. Drawing from 8-bit visual culture, his practice expands pixels into a painterly language.

Joo JaeBum : Pixels

Artist JaeBum Joo is a leading figure in the realm of pixel art in South Korea, garnering international acclaim for his distinctive vision. He has collaborated with an array of prestigious global brands, including Google, Starbucks, Nexon, Gentle Monster, Adobe, Uniqlo, Hypebeast, and entertainment giants such as SM, YG, and JYP. Through these partnerships, he has firmly established himself as a singular force in the world of illustration, all while pursuing his personal artistic endeavours with unwavering curiosity and innovation.

His work is deeply rooted in personal experience and perception. Having discovered his artistic identity through the 8-bit graphics of the cartoons and animations he grew up with, he has seamlessly woven nostalgia with contemporary technology to cultivate a style uniquely his own. For him, pixels are not merely a nod to retro aesthetics; they serve as a bridge between digital interfaces—such as animation and gaming—and the language of traditional painting, unlocking new dimensions of expression. In his hands, pixels transcend their conventional role as the smallest unit of a screen, becoming colour, form, and a sensory experience in their own right.

The Moon, long regarded as a mysterious presence, is depicted here through the artist's personal perspective, expressed via pixels. The piece explores the concept of enclosing the Moon within a circular canvas, a thoughtful approach that aims to highlight its enigmatic beauty. Through this unique rendering, the artist offers a fresh interpretation of the Moon, using the medium of pixels to convey a sense of wonder and depth.

The Grand Little Stone 2

Digital graphics have evolved from the era of sharply defined square pixels to ever smoother and more refined imagery. However, from the perspective of pixel art, this transformation can be seen as a process that diminishes the unique charm of the pixel itself. With this in mind, this piece preserves traces of pixels like sculpted fragments, serving as the outcome of an artistic exploration into the distinctive expressive possibilities that only pixel art can offer.

Scattered Memories 2

Scattered Memories 8

This piece began as a recollection of a day spent walking with the artist’s wife beneath the long, lingering hues of dusk. Reconstructing a single photograph that evokes the warmth of that moment, the work expands upon the artist’s practice of capturing life’s small, fleeting instances through digital art. In doing so, it seeks to express these memories on a grander scale, preserving the beauty of emotions and moments that remain timeless despite the passage of time.

Warmly Remembered Moments

This piece originates from an accidental glitch encountered during the pixel art creation process. Traditionally, pixels are expected to be symmetrical, with clearly defined front and side perspectives. However, this work challenges that convention, seeking to expand the boundaries of pixel art expression. Despite its distorted forms, the piece retains a deep affection for the artist’s muse—‘Moha, the cat from home.’ Embracing unexpected transformations, it explores new possibilities within the realm of pixel art while celebrating the unique beauty that emerges from serendipity.

The Same ‘Moha’ 3

The Grand Little Stone 3

This piece was born from the artist's desire to express a night sky akin to the sea—calm, yet vast and profound. Drawing inspiration from the music of DJ Okawari and Nujabes, which the artist often listens to during his work, the piece seeks to capture the unique atmosphere conveyed by their sounds. The result is a work imbued with a deep and rich mood, reflecting the artist’s attempt to encapsulate the emotional depth and resonance evoked by the music.

Dark Blue Sea

Scattered Memories 3

Scattered Memories 9

The Grand Little Stone 1

The Grand Little Stone 4

Scattered Memories 7

 Digital graphics have evolved from the era of sharply defined square pixels to ever smoother and more refined imagery. However, from the perspective of pixel art, this transformation can be seen as a process that diminishes the unique charm of the pixel itself. With this in mind, this piece preserves traces of pixels like sculpted fragments, serving as the outcome of an artistic exploration into the distinctive expressive possibilities that only pixel art can offer.

Scattered Memories 10

Scattered Memories 6

JaeBum Joo is a leading pixel artist from South Korea, developing a distinctive practice that bridges digital culture and painterly language.
Rooted in the 8-bit graphics of his childhood, his work merges nostalgia with contemporary technology, expanding pixels into color, form, and sensation. For Joo, pixels are not retro symbols but a visual language connecting animation, gaming, and painting.

City Hall

JaeBum Joo is a leading pixel artist from South Korea, developing a distinctive practice that bridges digital culture and painterly language. Rooted in the 8-bit graphics of his childhood, his work merges nostalgia with contemporary technology, expanding pixels into color, form, and sensation. For Joo, pixels are not retro symbols but a visual language connecting animation, gaming, and painting.