Kelly Haejung Paik, Ph.D., was born and raised in Seoul, Korea, and now lives and works in Seattle, WA. Immersed in art from an early age, she was deeply influenced by her parents’ passion for collecting and their connections with the artistic community.

 

Though her academic journey initially led her to a career in education, she discovered the power of visual expression in communicating complex ideas. This realization strengthened her connection to the arts and led her to study under artists whose work resonated with her vision.

 

Kelly draws inspiration from nature, human-made objects, music, and science, embracing both scientific inquiry and intuition in her experimental approach. Her work spans realism, abstraction, and surrealism, incorporating diverse materials such as canvas, paper, wood, metal, and three-dimensional tessellated surfaces.

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Recently, she has been exploring themes rooted in her Korean heritage, reinterpreting traditional objects, colors, and motifs in contemporary compositions. By transforming familiar symbols, she bridges past and present, engaging in a dynamic dialogue of cultural rediscovery and artistic reinvention.

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Ultimately, Kelly’s work seeks to create immersive and transformative experiences, honoring her heritage while embracing the boundless possibilities of contemporary expression.