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MAWZ

b.1992


 Artist MAWZ has been drawn to Disney animation films and cartoons since childhood. While studying Fine Arts at Chung-ang University, the artist created a character to represent himself and painted the world through its eyes. The artist’s artistic stage name, MAWZ, is named after the character from his early work. His birth dream of sharks and the movie <JAWS> inspired its naming. 

 

The artist's work explores surrealism and symbolism, conveying messages of reality's absurdity, personal concerns, social situations, and aspirations. His work conveys social, cultural, and personal concerns through the use of symbolic imagery, featuring poetic symbolism and animated expressions. The symbols used include envelopes, ribbons, and eagles, and their meanings can be interpreted in different ways based on the viewer's perspective. His recent work revolves around exploring the absurdity of reality and social issues. He continuously experiments with new materials and conducts thorough research on the subject's background or history to add more depth to his work. 

 

The artist’s defining characteristic is his use of Matière, which is conveyed through simple and implicit expressions with cheerful colors and thick brushstrokes of paint. Before starting any artwork, the artist meticulously documents the content or stories he intends to convey. He draws inspiration and motivation from his imagination, surroundings, and personal experiences to depict his unique perspective in his work. His recent work emphasizes background and three-dimensional elements over characters and icons from his earlier pieces, adding depth and highlighting the message. His animated style and expressions capture deep concerns across diverse subjects and allow for varied interpretations among viewers.

 

The artist is experimenting with various mediums to refine and develop his style and expressed a desire to expand into creating more three-dimensional work, in addition to his current focus on two-dimensional paintings. The artist previously collaborated with various brands, including McDonald's, Volkswagen, Cass, and SM Entertainment, to communicate with the public. MAWZ uses the process of creating art as a means to illustrate his personal exploration of the future unknown. He seeks to share his journey with the audience to spread positive energy and convey optimistic promises of life. 




EXHIBITIONS

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

 

2022        From the Cliché, Gallery STAN, Seoul

2021        Embrace Uncertainty, Gallery STAN, Seoul

2020        POSITIVE ENERGY, Gallery MEME, Seoul

2018        Let Us, ANOV, Seoul

                Ready Stance, PUBLIC GALLERY, Seoul

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

 

2023        Artistic Living, Space Logic Samchung, Seoul

                Bakbak! Nana! Jjajja!, Baik Art Gallery, Jakarta

                Webridge Expo, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas

                The Rabbit Universe, Sinsa House, Seoul

2022        Rude Carnival, Lelia Mordoch Gallery, Miami

                EMPTY!, Cabinet Club, Seoul

2019        1common, Chelsea Market, New York

                PUMA CELL STUDIO, D Project Space, Seoul

2018        FRESH ART, Iljowon Gallery, Seoul

                Dragon Scales, Gyeomjae Jeong Seon Art Museum, Seoul

2017        Choking Hazard, Kult gallery, Singapore

2016        1st Hyojabeer Poster Contest, Hyojabeer, Seoul

                Launch Pad, Epoxy Lab, Seoul

                New Drawing Project, Changucchin Museum of Art, Yangju

ART FAIRS

 

2023        KIAF Plus, COEX, Seoul

                Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan

2022        KIAF Plus, SETEC, Seoul

                Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan

2021        KIAF, COEX, Seoul

                Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan

2020        URBAN BREAK Art Asia, COEX, Seoul

                Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan

COLLABORATIONS

 

2023        Cass Cool Class Art

2022        Intel ARC X MAWZ

                McDonald’s X MAWZ ‘빠빠맥’

2020        Vans Gangnam 1st Anniversary, Vans X MAWZ

                Volkswagen X MAWZ

MAWZ
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