Irene YK Cha, a native of Korea, was born and raised in Seoul. She pursued her passion for art from a young age, graduating from Seoul Arts High School before earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Ewha Womans University. Her journey in the art world led her to diverse roles, as an instructor at the Air Force Academy and contributing as an art columnist for We Magazine. In Toronto, she established Cha Art Space which offers portfolio preparation for students and fine art classes for adults. She also served as president of the Korean Canadian Art Association( KASC). With over 30 years of experience as a Fine Artist, She has been actively involved in artistic endeavours spanning the USA, Korea, and Canada.     She is currently member of WAAC( Women’s Art Association of Canada)and KASC.

www.chaartspace.com

My recent series of works entitled “The Between” represents my view of the world.   For me, the word “Between” has two meanings: Yin and Yang, invisible and visible. “Between” means a sort of invisible large reality that, although it does not show up its presence as in between lines, connects stories of life, providing with a frame to them.   Just as we feel the existence of wind, when we see branches of trees swaying, so can we recognize invisible reality through what we can see. This thesis can be understood in the same context of thought of “Between the Line.” There is also a phenomenon which does not really exist but clearly appears to us as suggested image, such as the horizon.  A variety of phenomena that can be seen in between must be a part of reality that we cannot feel directly.  All lines and shapes in my works are revealing rather than depicting reality. I search for meaningful lines and shapes sometimes by washing some part of the already painted canvas and at other times by leaving some areas of the same canvas untouched. Gaps, openings, crevices thus created which I call “Between” all together create harmony and meaning of the painting. Such expressions reflect our existence in the world.