B.Y. An
(Korean, b. 1955)
Painting for over 30 years, Byung Young An paints to express moods; "To capture certain feelings or moods rather than the obvious image". Along with a myriad of artists, he is most inspired by Monet, specifically his mastery of color, light and impressions. However, his initial inspiration came by coincidence. An was born in Kyungbook, Korea in 1955. He was raised with an appreciation for nature and for simplicity. After graduating from Dong-Kook University with a
degree in Fine Art, An strived to incorporate his heritage and education into his artwork. In the
years following his graduation, An went on to receive the main prize for Korean Arts Grand
Exhibition in 1979 as well as the Golden Prize for MBC Grand Art Exhibition in 1980. He also
participated in the Exhibition of Mokwoo Artists of Korean Oil Painting Association in 1981, the
Five Korea-Japan Exchange Exhibition in 1982, and the Fine Arts Exhibition in Seoul, Korea in
1984. By the time he reached his late twenties An had become a solid member of local art
exhibitions.
An takes everyday objects and elements of nature to create striking compositions. A mere glance athis work can captivate his viewer. His tasteful selection of colors expresses the elegance and detailof his subjects. From the artist's perspective, his paintings strive to display harmony. An's beautifully balanced compositions place light and shadow against a simple yet rich palette. The combination creates a unified whole; sometimes whimsical, sometimes intense, and sometimes serene. An's paintings always leave the viewer feeling complete. His heritage and harmony show through to create exceptional works of art. Not only does An paint to express moods but also to illicit a feeling of overall happiness from his family. He met his wife in an art class; they share an interest in painting. Since then, she continues to provide invaluable critiques of his works. Together they travel with their daughter, hiking and appreciating nature.
Even though An is very busy with his artwork, he has made time to be a volunteer at orphanages, nursing homes, and homeless shelters for more than 15 years. When asked about his artwork, he mentions that fine art is not only about pursuing beauty on the outside, but also expressing inner-beauty. Therefore, he believes that all artists should emphasize inner-beauty in both their artwork and their lives. An enjoys giving joy to people through his artwork and his actions in serving his community.
An held a Solo Exhibition in 1995 at the In-Decor Gallery. In 1996, he earned the grand prize from the Korean Art Competition at Seoul Arts Center. In 1999, he earned high recognition from
national and international art critics from Korean Artist Society Competition at Gong-Pyung Art
Center. In 2000, he had the Contemporary Artists Group Exhibition in Japan. Currently, An is a
member of both the Mokwoo Artist and the Korean Fine Art Associations. He has held countless
exhibitions, including the National Fine Art Exhibition, Annual Korean Oil Painting Exhibition,
World Realism Art Exhibition in Japan, Asian Modern Art Exhibition, Hyundai Gusang Artist
Exhibition, Korean Contemporary Art Exhibition. Currently his artwork is displayed in many
private collections in Japan, Korea, France and the United States.