조은아

Jo Eun a’s ongoing body of work, "Sweet Landscape," brings together two recurring motifs—desserts and landscapes—to explore moments of comfort and emotional escape. Desserts symbolize small but meaningful joys in daily life, offering a soft counterpoint to the fatigue of modern living. In contrast, her imagined landscapes reflect a longing for peace and nature amid the stress of urban life, fine dust, and the post-pandemic world.

Her paintings begin with a meticulous, time-intensive process. A wooden panel or canvas primed with gesso is first layered with sam-hap (three-layered Korean mulberry paper), then coated with thin layers of white clay (baekto) mixed with animal glue. After weeks of drying, the surface is sealed with bansu, a semi-waterproof coating that allows ink to flow gently and enhances the depth of layered materials.

Jo Eun a then uses East Asian ink, powdered and mineral pigments, and acrylics to build dreamy, whimsical scenes. Ink mixed with glue and water spreads organically, forming serene landscapes and flowing water, onto which plants, architectural elements, and dessert motifs are delicately placed. Through these Sweet Landscapes, she offers viewers a quiet, healing moment—like wandering through a gentle dream.