Introducing the Korean illustrator creating graphic novel-style grids with a faded, wistful effect, featured in our Summer 19 Omega Zine.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, we partnered with Swiss luxury watchmaker Omega – whose watches Armstrong and Aldrin wore during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing – for a dreamy music zine included within the Summer 19 issue, spotlighting four artists breaking new ground. Also featured was visionary artwork from 4 incredible illustrators.
Watercolour shading, graphic novel-style grids, and gentle, faded outlines that give the imagery the feel of extending for miles and miles. We sat down with Seoul-based illustrator Byun Young Geun…
When did you first get interested in art and illustration?
I’ve loved drawing from a very young age, so it was natural for me to think of becoming an artist. And I was in my early 20s when I realistically thought of becoming an illustrator. I had worked in design for years first and when I had become tired of using computers digitally, I started using watercolours by hands.
What was the first thing you drew?
The scenery from trips and lonesome and depressed feelings.
Which artist/illustrator influences you the most?
I try not to be influenced by other artists or illustrators, but instead know myself deeper. I like watching moving images, and music videos inspire me. I especially admire videos from directors DOM & NIC.
Where do you pull inspiration from?
I think throughly from deep inside. That’s all.
How would you describe your style?
Styles that move slowly or that seem to stop moving.
How has your style evolved from when you first started?
I think my work has become more commercial in recent years in terms of colours and stories. However I try and keep a feeling of melancholy throughout my images from the beginning.
What are you working on now?
I’ve done book covers, a poster for a film festival, cover artworks for some music bands in the past month.
What do you want people to take away from your art?
I just want my images to be good enough so that people invest their own precious time to look at it.
Tell us about your favourite piece that you’ve created.
The series of scenes where a person is wearing a cloth. The title is “between winter and spring #4”, and it’s very simple sequences, yet full of implications.
