Born in 1968 in South Korea, Kim Jongsook draws from the sentiment and formal language of traditional Korean landscape painting, enriching it with the splendor of contemporary materials, the play of light, and ornamental precision to create her distinct concept of “Artificial Landscape.” Her works are primarily based on classic Korean paintings from the Joseon Dynasty, such as Jin-gyeong-San-su (real-view landscapes), Utopia landscapes, Mae-hwa-do (like plum blossom paintings) and Chack-ga-do. Her early exposure to her father's mother-of-pearl workshop influenced her use of shimmering materials and traditional motifs. Her signature technique, “Selective Drawing,” involves layering acrylic paint with thousands of Swarovski crystals and occasional artificial pearls, resulting in compositions that shimmer and shift with changing light. Through this interplay of texture and luminosity, Jongsook’s works merge traditional aesthetics, such as composition, empty-white space, and contemplative balance, with the visual allure of contemporary materials, inviting reflection on harmony, contrast, and transformation.