About
Peggy is a Korean-American painter whose work explores the delicate balance between human connection and the modern world’s increasing detachment. Inspired by the intricacies of emotion, memory, and digital entanglement, her intricate compositions resemble webs—both literal and metaphorical—symbolizing our interconnected yet isolated existence. With a career spanning over three decades, her work has been featured globally in art fairs, museums, and private collections, including commissions by major international hotels. Peggy is currently based in Southern California, where she is also the founder and director of the Vincent Art Institute.
Human connection, at its core, is rooted in selflessness and empathy. While technology has advanced beyond our imagination, leaving profound positive impacts, it has also subtly distanced us from one another. In the past, communication was essential and deeply personal. Today, however, our ability to truly see and engage with the world—and with each other—feels increasingly diminished. As a society, we are becoming more isolated than ever before.
Through my paintings, I aim to reflect a longing for unity, togetherness, and emotional balance. My work expresses a desire to return to genuine, human-centered relationships and to rediscover the meaning of tradition—not as a constraint, but as a guiding principle for empathy, respect, and shared values. I believe that by using our naturally given senses—our ability to see, feel, and connect—we can begin to affect change, even if in small, gradual ways.
Visually, my paintings resemble an intricate web, symbolizing both our digital entanglement and our social interdependence. This visual metaphor reflects our obsession with networking and constant connectivity, yet it also invites viewers to reflect on the importance of returning to human morality, mutual respect, and compassion.
Ultimately, I hope my work inspires a renewed sense of connection—an appreciation for mutual understanding and the comfort found in the presence of another human being.
EDUCATION
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
- Hong Ik University, Seoul, Korea
SELECTED SOLO / ART FAIR EXHIBITIONS
2021 - The Other Art Fair, Global Virtual Edition
2019 - The Other Art Fair Presented by Saatchi Art, Los Angeles, CA
2018 - The Other Art Fair Presented by Saatchi Art, Los Angeles, CA
2016 - Ironic Healing, Lee N Lee Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2006 - Love of Love, Lotus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2004 - Iccan Gallery, Manhattan Beach, CA
2003 - East to West, L.A. Artist Colony, Los Angeles, CA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 - Echoes of Resilience, EK Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- The Aestheics, Doarte Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- Permeating in San Diego, Escondido Art, San Diego, CA
2024 - KAWAA Annual Exhibition, Shatto Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- Weaving Worlds Through Art, JCube Art Museum, South Korea
- Hankang Biennale Main Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2023 - Into Hope, Western Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
-KAWAA Annual Exhibition, EK Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2022 - Embrace, The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton, CA
2021 - Beyond the Time, Lee N Lee Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2020 - Movements Seeking Balance, The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton, CA
2019 - KAFem Female Artists Exhibition, Western Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2018 - Spirituality Show, Chakra Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
- Abstract Contemporary Exhibition, Chakra Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
- Beverly Hills Art Show, Beverly Hills, CA
- CA101, Redondo Beach, CA
- Southern California Established Women Artists' Show, EK Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017- Beyond the Lines, MiXX Projects, Telluride, CO
- Spectrum Gestalt IV, bG Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
- It Takes a Village, CA 101 2017, Riviera Village Redondo Beach, CA
- Abstract II, Beyond the Lines Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
- SansaArt.com Gallery
2016 - Creative Edge, Lark Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
- Front & Center CA 101 2016 Art Exhibition, Redondo Beach, CA
2015 - The Beverly Hills Art Show, Beverly Hills, CA
- First Online Art Competition, LA Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2014 - The Beverly Hills Art Show, Beverly Hills, CA
– Saatchi Online Gallery
– Open Exhibition, TAG Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
- Made in California, City of Brea Gallery Brea, CA
2013 - South Bay Focus, Torrance Art Museum Los Angeles, CA
2012 - The Unheard Voices, Park View Gallery Los Angeles, CA
2010 - The Path Untold, Wooyeon Gallery Daejeon, Korea
2008 - 2013 – KAASC, Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles, CA
2005 - Lotus Gallery Los Angeles, CA
2004 - Kolibri Art Gallery Palos Verdes, CA
- Beck Strand Gallery Palos Verdes, CA
- Bernhardt Furniture Gallery Los Angeles, CA
- Iccan Gallery Manhattan Beach, CA
2003 - Beck Strand Gallery Palos Verdes, CA
- Uffizi Gallery Los Angeles, CA
2002 - PV Art Center Palos Verdes, CA
1996 - Gallery IPKO New York, NY
1995 - Gallery Korea New York, NY
1994 - Jain Marunouch Gallery New York, NY
- Korean American Cultural Center NJ
1994, ‘93, ’92 - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Philadelphia, PA
1992 - Delaware Art Center Gallery Wilmington, DE
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2002 - Present – Founder and President of Vincent Art Institute La Habra, CA
AWARDS
2019 - The Best Modern and Contemporary Artist, Florence, Italy
2018 - CFA Artist of the Year Award and Grant, Finalist
2017 - Art Market Magazine Gold List, Best Contemporary Artist, Top Artists of Today
- International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci Award, Florence, Italy
2015 - LA Artcore First Online Art Competition Finalist
2014 - The Beverly Hills Art Show, 2nd Place (Painting)
2003 - PV Art Center All Media, Juried Exhibition, Circle Award
(Best in Show) Juror Joe Smoke (Director of the L.A. Cultural Department)
PUBLICATIONS
2014-2024- Featured in Saatchi Collections 100+ times
2020 - 100 Voices, 100 Artists, Saatchi Art Women's History Month Catalog, featured on cover page and article
- Saatchi Art Holiday Catalog, featured on cover page
2017 - Art International Contemporary Magazine, International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci, the Universal Artist, Florence, Italy
- Art Market Magazine Gold List, Top Contemporary Artists of Today
- ArtMaze Magazine, Summer Issue #3
- SansaArt.com Featured Artist
- Best of the Month Artist January and February, Curated by Rebecca Wilson
2016 - Huffington Post
- Korea Daily News
- The Korea Times
- Saatchi Art, Artist of the Day, April 8th
- Saatchi Art, Artist of the Week, Curated by Jessica McQueen
2015 - Freshpaint Magazine, Studio Visit Interview, October 2015
- LagunaArt.com featured artist
- Freshpaint Magazine Issue #9, London UK and USA
2014 - OC Register News
- Studio Visit Magazine, Juried Publication Vol. 27, 28 Juror Carl Belz, Director Emeritus, The Rose Art Museum
2013 - Studio Visit Magazine, Juried Publication Vol. 24 Juror Barbara O’Brien (Director of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art)
2008, 2006 - Korea Daily News
2006 - The Korea Times
1993 - Philadelphia Sunday
COMMISSIONS
2024- MGM Borgata Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ
- Palmetto Suites & Bath, Panama City Beach, FL
2022 - Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore
2019 - Architectural Interiors LLC
- Four Seasons Hotel, Macau
2006 - Dr. David A. Bray
2003 - School mural in Richmond Street School
2002 - School mural in Cornerstone Private School
- Awards plate design and painting for Annual Parakeet competition in
San Pedro, CA.
2001 - Awards plate design and painting for National Portuguese Band
Horse Show in Palos Verdes, CA
COLLECTIONS
Peggy's works are held in private and corporate collections in England, Spain, Italy, China, Macau, South Africa, Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Dubai, Czech Republic, and all throughout the United States of America.
REPRESENTED BY
- Saatchi Art
- Singulart
- Artfinder
- Artling