Ginny Jeong
The Artwork
Ginny Jeong
- Digital Artist
Life is a masterpiece, 2024
Digital illustration
Artist Statement
In the 1950s aftermath of the Korean War, South Korea lay in ruins.
My maternal grandparents, diligent farmers like many others, faced tremendous challenges. They worked hard to rebuild their country.
A son could continue the farm and keep their family name, but my grandmother had only daughters. She was unable to carry any more children after her seventh daughter, my mom.
Concerned about their family lineage, my grandfather's mother arranged a second wife who gave birth to a son. My grandfather passed away when his son was just four months old, leaving my mother to shoulder significant responsibilities at a young age.
Despite her aspirations to pursue art, societal norms dictated that women were married in their 20s and supported their families. She dutifully cared for her younger brother and assisted with farm work.
Higher education was a rarity for women in those times, with none of her elder sisters attending university.
However, my mother's determination led her to pursue nursing, a field in which she excelled. Her skilled hands that longed for art, found purpose in delicate tasks.
Marriage and motherhood forced her to leave her career behind temporarily, as was common for married women in the 1980s.
It wasn't until the emergence of unions in the early 1990s that she could return to work. I would spend time with her, while she worked at the hospital until I was ready for school.
I loved drawing. My school teacher advised my mom to send me to private art classes and throughout my schooling and teenage years, my parents supported my art. They gave me the opportunity to follow my dreams, without ever fulfilling their own.
I inherited my mother’s passion for art and pursued studies in film animation, dreaming of contributing to projects akin to those of Pixar and Disney. However, when I met my husband in Australia, settling far from my original aspirations, life took a different turn.
The unexpected arrival of a baby forced me to reevaluate my priorities, plunging me into a period of isolation and self-reflection, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout this time I felt the unwavering determination to overcome adversity, from the women in my family. Their gifted hands, whether in nursing or fabric crafting, serves as a testament to the resilience passed down through generations.
Despite my fears and uncertainties, my mother's resilience and my grandmother's legacy of strength inspired me to see the beauty in the everyday. They are survivors of this history. I am the proof of their strength.
My blood has strength from them, a legacy.
The gifted hands of my mom and grandmother won't be wasted.
I am reminded that our lives are already masterpieces shaped by the courage and endurance of those who came before us.
Bio
Ginny Jeong, an illustrator from Bendigo, Australia, deeply loves telling stories through her art. Growing up in Korea, she started drawing at a young age and has been passionate about it ever since.
Since moving to Australia in 2015, Ginny studied animation at university, where artists like Hayao Miyazaki, Yuri Norstein, and Moebius inspired her. Their work continues to influence her style today.
Ginny loves experimenting with different styles and subjects, from detailed character designs to expansive landscapes. Her portfolio reflects her diverse interests and experiences, capturing emotions and narratives visually.
Becoming a mother has brought new perspectives to Ginny's work, inspiring her to explore motherhood, self-care, and personal growth themes. This journey has added depth to her storytelling, connecting with audiences personally.
Through her illustrations, Ginny invites viewers to join her on imaginative journeys, where stories come to life with vibrant detail. She hopes her art evokes emotions, sparks conversations, and inspires creativity in others.
“Since arriving in Australia, I have struggled with language and hidden my feelings and thoughts. When I had my baby, I was isolated and alone, my artwork gave me the strength to use my voice to connect with the world. I believe everyone has a secret power, and I wish we felt free to share and care”.
- Ginny Jeong
Women of Gold is a multimedia project celebrating the stories and contributions of women in the City of Greater Bendigo. Increasing the representation of women across different sectors and inspiring industry to innovate and meet the needs of our community as a whole.
