It's not funny!

"I'm actually trying to make sense of the world. There's nothing cynical or absurd in what I do," says Chinese painter Yue MinJun, about his series of chesire-cat-grinning self-portraits. Yue is accused of being a "cynical realist," but insists that his works are more concerned with exploring reality than with criticizing it. However they are interpreted, his artwork is colorful and bright; amusing and simultaneously disturbing, as it points to the aggregiously showy and loud facade that covers the bleak truths of an inhospitable society. For a more eloquent take on Yue's recent work: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/arts/design/13smil.html

The happy horse maker, Kim JeomSon

Unfortunately, there isn't a wealth of information about this artist on the web. What I can glean from the lady at her gift shop and naver are that she is about 60 years old, and studied at Hongdae. Her style is delightfully child-like. She paints horses, other animals, flowers, and a few figures, with the same bright colors, and simple stylizations that fit notebook covers, mugs, and neckties so naturally. It would be nice to be able to find information on contemporary Korean artists a bit more easily...