Kwon Kyung Yup, a graduate of Sejong University in Korea, begins her process by taking photographs first; this captures all the details and expressions. She then makes a draft of the photo and paints in on canvas with oil. Kwon explores the realistic representation of portraits attaching a symbolic white bandage to the faces and exposed bodies of the young boys and girls. Her work speaks to us quietly, expressing the struggle and trauma the subjects are going through. The subject’s skin tone looks weak, the expression of the eyes speak to their exhaustion and the white bandage shows the trauma, physical or emotional. Kwon Kyung Yup shows us the extension of death as well as the hope of recovery of every human being.

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Bleached Memory 162.2X227.3cm oil on canvas 2009

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Chamber of memory 116.8X91cm oil on canvas 2010

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Solitude 116.8X91cm oil on canvas 2010

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Eternity 116.8X91cm oil on canvas 2010

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Moments 162.2X97cm oil on canvas 2008

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Lost 116.8X80cm oil on canvas 2009

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Bleached Memory2 130X194cm oil on canvas 2009

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Black Nails 130X162.2cm oil on canvas 2009

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Remember 130X194cm oil on canvas 2009

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Tearful 100X72cm oil in canvas 2007

Kwon Kyung Yup (©) Mint 53X45.5cm oil on canvas 2007

More amazing paintings by Kwon Kyung Yup you can find at her website.