“Sonyeo” – which means girl in Korean showcases the captivating illustrations of artist and graphic designer Sehee Chae.
In Korea, Sehee works under the pen name “Pie”, providing illustrations for picture books, novels, album covers, and animations.
In this virtual exhibition, she invites you to explore delicate sense of color and emotion in her illustrations.
Each piece tells a story and in her own words…
“My work mainly focuses on Sonyeo (which means “girl” in Korean) and nature, capturing the charming and loving relationship between them.
I believe that Sonyeo sees the world with a special kind of sensitivity.
I began this body of work because I wanted to share that delicate sense of color and emotion with others.
The pieces I’m presenting in this exhibition are some of my most beloved works, and I hope they bring viewers a unique and joyful experience.”
The Goddess of Water
물의 여신
acrylic on canvas, 61cm x 76cm
“I painted the work for ‘World Water Day’.
Wouldn’t the water goddess have such an appearance?
The red-haired goddess of water lives in the deep sea.
With a sweet and gentle charisma, she is the guardian of squids, jellyfish,
and many other fishes. Depending on the weather and mood,
her hair color may change slightly.
She is delicate yet very capricious, so if you ever meet her,
you should take a special care about her feeling!“
View on Behance
The Woman and the Tiger by Sehee Chae (2024)
acrylic, gouache on canvas, 53.0cm x 40.9cm
“This piece is part of the Zodiac Series, where I reinterpreted the traditional style
of East Asian painting with a modern perspective.
It captures the fierce and majestic presence of the tiger and
the powerful energy of the tiger woman, symbolizing a vigorous start to the year.
The camellia flower, representing hope and vitality,
thrives even in the cold of winter.
This artwork conveys the wish to share that energy with others.“
View on Behance
‘Sonyeo’ Illustration Book by Sehee Chae
“This is an illustration book consisting of 18 illustrations of a girl.
Sonyeo means “girl” in Korean.
I have depicted a girl experiencing various seasons and
different moments in everyday life.
I hope you can also feel the unique colors and emotions
within these illustrations.“
View on Behance
Two Sisters by Sehee Chae (2024)
acrylic on canvas, 72.7cm x 60.6cm
“Two sisters braid each other’s hair, showcasing their deep bond,
yet they somehow appear precarious.
The background features blue day-blooming evening primroses,
chosen to contrast with the red background, evoking a mysterious and discordant feeling.
The patterns on their clothing reflect their delicate sensibilities.“
View on Behance
“Sonyeo” Virtual Art Exhibition 2025
We hope you enjoyed this colorful exhibition, as much as we have.
To learn more about Sehee’s illustrations, visit her Behance portfolio.
You can also find some of her “Sonyeo” illustrations available on Opensea. So be sure to check them out.
Thanks for visiting!
Written by
Hazel Lee is the designer and founder of YourDesignJuice.com, or YDJ™ in short. Since graduating from Staffordshire University back in 2002, she has worked as a full-time graphic and UI designer, then a freelancer before founding YDJ™ in 2017.
She now spends most of her time writing and posting inspirational contents on the YDJ Blog. She loves chocolates and enjoys connecting with other fellow creatives on social media.
We are a group of writers, editors, artists and designers. On the YDJ Blog, we curate and showcase art & design projects, resources and interview stories of creatives we’ve connected with from all over the world. We’ll also review and recommend products that our readers may want.
