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
Unavailable|$2,500
H 24 in W 37 in D 2 in
"The Bigger Picture", abstract sculpture, found frame, wood, paint, geometry
Located in Toronto, Ontario
"The Bigger Picture" is an abstract artwork by Stan Olthuis composed of acrylic paint on pine wood and reclaimed picture frame. The Bigger Picture measures...
Acrylic, Wood, Found Objects
$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
$3,000
H 33 in W 46.5 in D 2 in
Pink Punk: large abstract geometric wall sculpture painting on shaped wood panel
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
"Pink Punk" is a large, acrylic painting / wall sculpture on a flat, shaped wooden panel. It is attached to the wall on two wooden cleats and projects 1.5" from the wall, creating a ...
Acrylic, Wood Panel
$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
"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
$7,600
H 54 in W 72 in D 1.5 in
Pink Pleasure (Textile Inspired Abstract Wood Wall Sculpture in Pink and Yellow)
By Susan Stover
Located in Hudson, NY
Pink Pleasure (Textile Inspired Abstract Wood Wall Sculpture in Pink and Yellow), made by Susan Stover in 2024 wood, oil paint, varnish, waxed linen thread 54 x 72 inches Lightweight...
Thread, Wood, Oil, Acrylic, Cardboard
$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
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 12 in W 12 in
Tantra 92: minimalist abstract spiritual mandala sculpture painting, red circle
By Antonio Puri
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Antonio Puri's "Tantra" sculptural painting is one of 100 intimately-scaled minimalist round mandala circles built from tiny seed beads adhered to canvas in a range of red hues, crea...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 26 in W 26 in D 1 in
Tantra series: suite of 4 red minimalist mandala wall sculptures / paintings
By Antonio Puri
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
This is a suite of four 12" x 12" canvas panels in Antonio Puri's "Tantra" sculptural painting series of intimately-scaled minimalist round mandala circle...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Unavailable|$400
H 8 in W 8 in D 2 in
"Clue #4", abstract sculpture, wood, paint, rubber tubes, found objects
Located in Toronto, Ontario
"Clue #4" is an abstract artwork by Stan Olthuis composed of acrylic paint on reclaimed bicycle inner tube, wrapped on torched and plain reclaimed canvas stretchers. Clue #4 measures...
Rubber, Wood, Acrylic
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 12 in W 12 in
Tantra 87: abstract India spiritual mandala circle sculpture painting, red beads
By Antonio Puri
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Antonio Puri's "Tantra" sculptural painting is one of 100 intimately-scaled minimalist round mandala circles built from tiny seed beads adhered to canvas in a range of red hues, crea...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Unavailable|$400
H 8 in W 8 in D 2 in
"Clue #2", abstract sculpture, wood, paint, rubber tubes, found objects
Located in Toronto, Ontario
"Clue #2" is an abstract artwork by Stan Olthuis composed of acrylic paint on reclaimed bicycle inner tube, wrapped on torched and plain reclaimed canvas ...
Rubber, Wood, Acrylic
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