On August 7th, artist Jeon Ok-hee held an exhibition on the first floor of the Insadong Gallery Maru Art Center. The atmosphere was undeniably festive, reminiscent of watching Brazilian samba and bossa nova dancing.

The pre-exhibition runs until October 12 at Dugo Gallery (Maru Art Center, 1st floor), ahead of her upcoming show Journey of Light at So-Wall Gallery in Seongsu-dong on October 25. 

The latter event will also mark the 60th anniversary of Korean immigration to Brazil and serve as a cultural exchange exhibition. In the Insa-dong show, 

Jeon’s canvases blend the elegance of traditional Korean aesthetics with lively depictions of Brazilian life — from indigenous communities to festive street scenes — creating the illusion of being transported directly to Brazil. 

Jeon has an extensive history of presenting her art in Brazil, from public institutions and advertisements in São Paulo’s Koreatown to becoming the first Korean artist to exhibit at both the state and city councils of São Paulo.

 Speaking about her works, she notes: “Brazil has such wonderful weather. I painted golfers, the New Year’s Eve Réveillon celebration on Copacabana Beach, where people dressed in white pray to the sea goddess, and many other moments of daily joy.” One painting, she explains, depicts a Brazilian woman preparing for a beauty pageant, refraining from sweets with both humor and tenderness. 

Another shows a fruit vendor with his truck, rendered with such detail that, seen through the gallery’s rain-streaked glass, it heightens the sense of immediacy. 

Photo Caption: Staircase advertisement exhibited by the artist in Brazil

Jeon first moved to Brazil when her husband was posted there as an expatriate, and she continues to work actively between Korea and Brazil. She hopes to pursue further collaborative projects in Korea in the future. 

Caption: Advertisement on the steps of a Brazilian government building by a former painter.

Over the course of her career, she has held more than 20 solo and group exhibitions across both countries, and has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Presidential Award for Contributions to Korea–Brazil Cultural Exchange, the Seoul Mayor’s Award, and the Special Prize at the Korea Academy of Fine Arts Grand Exhibition. 

For Jeon, the focus is not on portraying hierarchy or social class, but rather on capturing the colorful, leisurely lives of everyday Brazilians.