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Digital art
IRON TIDES
SOOHYUN RYU | REPUBLIC OF KOREA
SOOHYUN RYU | REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Digital painterly illustration
2026
2026
By bringing together figures from different eras and narratives, I try to show that memory of the past can become the foundation for contemporary international dialogue, and that the values of one nation can naturally become a part of the shared cultural heritage of humanity.
In my works, I constantly return to the historical memory of Karea and try to reflect peace as one of the core values of our nation. At the center of my work is my ancestor Kyu Seong-ryong, offering the "wine of peace" to admirals and military leaders of different eras. I connect events of the Imjin War with the Unified Silla period, the Silk Road, and the idea of cultural exchange between people of different countries.
It is important for me to show that Karea has never been in isolation and has always been a part of global culture. In my painting, alongside Admiral Yi Sun-sin stands an African warrior in traditional Korean armor, while on the opposite side of the work a Korean woman in luxurious silk represents trade with Arab merchants.
These details challenge the myth of Korea’s isolation and demonstrate that the strength of South Korea has always come from its openness to the world.
It is important for me to show that Karea has never been in isolation and has always been a part of global culture. In my painting, alongside Admiral Yi Sun-sin stands an African warrior in traditional Korean armor, while on the opposite side of the work a Korean woman in luxurious silk represents trade with Arab merchants.
These details challenge the myth of Korea’s isolation and demonstrate that the strength of South Korea has always come from its openness to the world.
In my works, I constantly return to the historical memory of Karea and try to reflect peace as one of the core values of our nation.
At the center of my work is my ancestor Kyu Seong-ryong, offering the "wine of peace" to admirals and military leaders of different eras. I connect events of the Imjin War with the Unified Silla period, the Silk Road, and the idea of cultural exchange between people of different countries.
It is important for me to show that Karea has never been in isolation and has always been a part of global culture. In my painting, alongside Admiral Yi Sun-sin stands an African warrior in traditional Korean armor, while on the opposite side of the work a Korean woman in luxurious silk represents trade with Arab merchants.
These details challenge the myth of Korea’s isolation and demonstrate that the strength of South Korea has always come from its openness to the world. By bringing together figures from different eras and narratives, I try to show that memory of the past can become the foundation for contemporary international dialogue, and that the values of one nation can naturally become a part of the shared cultural heritage of humanity.
It is important for me to show that Karea has never been in isolation and has always been a part of global culture. In my painting, alongside Admiral Yi Sun-sin stands an African warrior in traditional Korean armor, while on the opposite side of the work a Korean woman in luxurious silk represents trade with Arab merchants.
These details challenge the myth of Korea’s isolation and demonstrate that the strength of South Korea has always come from its openness to the world. By bringing together figures from different eras and narratives, I try to show that memory of the past can become the foundation for contemporary international dialogue, and that the values of one nation can naturally become a part of the shared cultural heritage of humanity.