Today we’d like to introduce you to Aira Choi.
Hi Aira, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a painter based in Seoul, South Korea. Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Over time, I developed my own visual language through oil painting, creating dreamlike scenes that often feature leopards, moons, flowers, and imagined paradises.
My work is inspired by memories, emotions, and the search for moments of happiness and peace in everyday life. Today, I continue to work as a full-time artist, sharing my paintings with audiences in Korea and abroad.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Since my first solo exhibition in 2013, I have continued my journey as an artist. Of course, there have been difficult times along the way. I believe that the life of an artist is much like the ocean, with waves that rise and fall.
Rather than avoiding the waves, I try to ride them and even enjoy them. I believe that when I create with joy, that energy naturally appears in my work.
To continue creating for the long term, I make an effort to take care of both my mental and physical well-being. During difficult times, I try to remind myself to be grateful that I am still able to paint.
Those ups and downs have ultimately become part of both my life and my art, shaping the artist I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Korean oil painter working under the name Aira Choi. My work focuses on nature, animals, and the idea of an ideal paradise through my ongoing series, Finding Paradise.
One of the most important symbols in my paintings is a white leopard with heart-shaped eyes and a heart-shaped nose. This sacred animal guards the paradise I have created—a peaceful world where there is no need to compete or fight. It represents love, comfort, and happiness, and I hope viewers can discover their own paradise through my work.
Working primarily in oil paint, I use palette knives to create rich textures and vibrant colors. My background in metal sculpture also influences the sculptural qualities and layered surfaces of my paintings.
Over the years, my work has gained recognition through winning an art survival television program, being featured in Korean dramas, and collaborating with brands such as Bang & Olufsen and Shinhan Card.
What I am most proud of is not a specific achievement, but the courage to continue painting and the daily practice of returning to the studio and creating.
What sets my work apart is that I do not simply present my own paradise. Instead, I invite viewers to ask themselves, “What is your paradise?” Through my paintings, I hope people can discover their own sense of peace, comfort, and happiness.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I believe that an artist’s journey is never accomplished alone. I am grateful to my family, friends, collectors, and viewers who have continued to support and believe in my work.
The people who tell me that my paintings have brought them comfort and happiness have become one of my greatest sources of motivation. It means a great deal to me when the paradise I create becomes a small place of rest and joy for someone else.
I would also like to give special credit to my father, who is no longer with us. His love and encouragement gave me the strength to continue my journey as an artist and never give up on painting. Even today, I feel that he is still watching over me and supporting me in spirit.
Although artists often work alone in their studios, I believe we ultimately grow through the love and support of many people. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey.
Pricing:
- Pricing is generally based on canvas size.
- The current price is approximately KRW 150,000 per Korean canvas size unit (ho).
- Final prices may vary depending on the size and complexity of the artwork.
- Selected works are available through Saatchi Art.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aira_choi
- Other: https://saatchiart.com/en-kr/airachoi
