" I paint silence. By painting layers and layers of fading colours with embracing aesthetics, it is a meditation and an attempt to achieve an internal calmness ㅡ in silence. "
Jessica Woo Jung Ghil (b. Seoul, 1992) lives and works in London.
She started her BA at Camberwell College of Art and graduated from Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts '20, and is currently pursuing an MA in Painting at The Royal College of Art, London '23.
Jeongjeok (정적) is a state of internal tranquility— a rejection or absence of external sounds and the embrace of a silence that resonates from within our souls. In my paintings, I portray what I believe is the ideal state of mind, one that does not waver despite the ever-changing nature of the external world.
Growing up in different countries, I was exposed to a variety of cultural values, each with its own unique customs and beliefs. At the heart of this cultural tapestry, I sought to uncover my own subjectivity— to untangle the threads of influence and discover what truly resonates with my core values. Without this process of self-discovery, the world was too daunting, its voices too loud, and its expectations too overbearing. I longed for a state of tranquility— jeongjeok— where I can focus on the things that mattered to me most.
Aesthetics of my works are often inspired by the mountains and water. I am captivated by the unwavering allure of nature’s calm and the enduring spirit that lies within. Mountains witness the changing of the four seasons, yet remain resolute and everlasting, while water unyieldingly and modestly flows down its destined course. In nature, I found an internal and innate silence— this timeless aesthetic of jeongjeok.
Blending meticulous layers of oil paint, applying texture, and adding color have all become a meditative process—an intimate dialogue between my art and myself. Sinuous lines serve as focal points that reflect the delicate balance and discipline required to maintain the silence I strive to reach. My works are a window into the realm of jeongjeok— a sanctuary where time slows down, where the external distractions fade, and where my soul rests.
