Drawing on her background in origami and the production of pop-up books, painter and sculptor Jaena Kwon works in abstract mode, and prioritizes structure and texture in her work. In exploring how space is depicted in paintings, she creates compelling monochrome layered objects that are folded, sanded and painted.
Kwon was born and raised in Seoul and holds two MFA degrees. She completed one in 2014 at Yale University, where she majored in painting and printmaking, and the other in 2012 at Seoul National University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree.
Central to Kwon’s art, regardless of whether she is working with fiberboard, wood, gesso or acrylics, is a careful, deliberate focus on the tactile qualities of the work. In doing so, she adds another dimension, adding a layer of experience and meaning.
Of Kwon’s many exhibitions, most include group and solo shows held in New York City or Seoul. A 2017 residency at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts, as well as 2012 shows at Amy Simon Fine Art in Connecticut and New Caledonia Hotel Art Fair in Noumea are among some exceptions. The Woosuk Exhibition Hall at Seoul National University has featured Kwon twice in back-to-back group shows in 2010 and 2011, and she was also a participant in 2017’s “Passion. Connected. 100 x 100” at the Korean Cultural Center of New York.
Kwon has won numerous awards including a Teaching Assistant Fellowship in 2011 from Seoul National University. She also won the Carol Schlosberg Memorial Prize from Yale University and the Boston Young Contemporaries RGH Prize, both in 2014.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Jaena Kwon paintings and sculptures.
To the Left
By Jaena Kwon
Located in Westport, CT
This piece is by Korean artist, Jaena Kwon. Her dimensional relief work is concerned with painting components and how painting space is constructed. She treats painting as an image o...
Acrylic, Fiberboard
Organza Fold
By Jaena Kwon
Located in Westport, CT
This purple/lavender piece is by Korean artist, Jaena Kwon. Her dimensional relief work is concerned with painting components and how painting space is constructed. She treats painti...
Acrylic, Fiberboard
Berkshire Blue
By Jaena Kwon
Located in Westport, CT
This blue work is by Korean artist, Jaena Kwon. Her dimensional relief work is concerned with painting components and how painting space is constructed. She treats painting as an ima...
Acrylic, Fiberboard
$2,250
H 15 in W 13 in D 1 in
Steven Baris, Ruse Of Transparency 13, 2014, plexiglass, acrylic paint
By Steven Baris
Located in Darien, CT
Steve Baris is interested in the interconnections of the built environment and spatial experience. His artwork is a response to a largely overlooked type of landscape that is emerg...
Plexiglass, Acrylic
$3,700
H 30 in W 30 in D 1.5 in
Mnemonic Rhythm (Bright, Multicolored Textile Inspired Abstract Wall Sculpture)
By Susan Stover
Located in Hudson, NY
Mnemonic Rhythm (Bright, Multicolored Textile Inspired Abstract Wall Sculpture), made by Susan Stover in 2025 wood, oil paint, varnish, waxed linen thread 30 x 30 inches Lightweight,...
Thread, Wood, Oil, Acrylic, Cardboard
"Wandering Around" Abstract Diptych Painting
By Teodora Guererra
Located in Westport, CT
This textured abstract diptych by Teodora Guererra features a light blue-green palette with warm yellow accents throughout. The artist layers thick strokes of paint using a palette k...
Acrylic, Board
$1,720Sale Price|20% Off
H 36 in W 36 in D 3 in
"Taddington" - Abstract Earthtone Patterned Wall Sculpture
Located in Soquel, CA
Paisley and floral patterned wall sculpture by Jessica Godisak (American, b. 1977). This dimensional piece is constructed of several wood forms joined together. There is empty space ...
Wood, Acrylic, Fiberboard, Cardboard, Lacquer
$455
H 16 in W 16 in
Miami Blue - Original Impasto Inspired Cool Tone Textured Abstract Painting
By Shiri Phillips
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impasto-painted strokes of bright colors are the framework of artist Shiri Phillips’ abstract artworks. Her paintings are flooded with texture through the layering of acrylic paint i...
Canvas, Acrylic, Glitter
$3,900
H 24 in W 48 in D 2 in
"Plum Neutral I & II " A Pair of Textured Abstract Paintings
By Teodora Guererra
Located in Westport, CT
This pair of textured abstract paintings by Teodora Guererra features a light, greyscale palette with subtle warm accents throughout the composition. The artist layers thick strokes ...
Acrylic, Board
$2,000
H 24 in W 14 in D 6 in
Biography of a Drive-By: wall sculpture by Black African-American artist
By Richard J. Watson
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
This is a two-part wall mounted painting / sculpture this integrates found objects and photographs into an acrylic painting on the top, and a wooden shelf with bullet casings and coins below. This is a conceptual, abstract work of art that is a powerful homage to lives lost through calculated gun violence in American cites. signed by the artist. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...
Acrylic, Panel, Found Objects, Mixed Media
Curtain Wall
By Ben Watkins
Located in Lincoln, RI
Curtain Wall is a piece created from cast resin panels. The piece depicts the nighttime Mountain Views and a cave system within that range. With this piece I was inspired by tapest...
Copper, Foil
Galveston
By Ben Watkins
Located in Lincoln, RI
This piece is made by casting Hydrostone on top of an oil clay pattern. Once cured, the oil clay is removed, then paint and gilding are applied to emphasize the texture on the surfac...
Gold Leaf
Bedfellows
By Ben Watkins
Located in Lincoln, RI
Bedfellows refers to partnerships and celebrates relationships. This piece is subtle and beautiful. The pale, purple paint accentuates the carved texture. The piece is framed in wh...
Plaster, Wood, Maple, Acrylic
$12,000
H 36 in W 48 in
"Hot Sauce", Colorful, Abstract Painting on Aluminum Panel by Kevin Barrett
By Kevin Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Hot Sauce" by Kevin Barrett Epoxy, acrylic, and urethane on carved aluminum panel Barrett is noted for creating unique, rhythmic, abstract indoor and outdoor sculpture and wall rel...
Metal
$520
H 11 in W 11 in
Amber Light on Ocean Park - Textural Abstract Relief Geometric Wall Sculpture
By Paul Kirley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abstract artist Paul Kirley crafts visual journeys that seamlessly intertwine individuals with their surroundings, evoking the ethereal nature of dreams. Blurring the boundaries betw...
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood, Mixed Media
Tear #2 - Commission
By Jaena Kwon
Located in Westport, CT
This is a commission. Specific color to be confirmed. This gray relief work is by Korean artist, Jaena Kwon. Kwon's work is concerned with painting components and how painting spa...
Acrylic, Fiberboard
Variation of Sharp #2 - Commission
By Jaena Kwon
Located in Westport, CT
This is a commission. This gray relief work is by Korean artist, Jaena Kwon. Kwon's work is concerned with painting components and how painting space is constructed. She treats p...
Acrylic, Fiberboard
Crane
By Jaena Kwon
Located in Westport, CT
This red relief work is by Korean artist, Jaena Kwon. I Kwon's work is concerned with painting components and how painting space is constructed. She treats painting as an image obje...
Acrylic, Fiberboard