BYEN UNG-PIL

Byen Ungpil earned his B.F.A. in Western Painting from Dongguk University before relocating to Germany, where he completed both his M.F.A. and the prestigious Meisterschüler program in Fine Arts at the Münster Academy of Art (Kunstakademie Münster). His artistic career is highlighted by over 19 solo exhibitions, most notably the ‘SOMEONE’ series, which has been showcased internationally at CHOI&CHOI Gallery + Greg Podgorski Contemporary Art (Nyon, Switzerland, 2025) and CHOI&CHOI Gallery (Cologne, Germany, 2024), as well as domestic presentations at Hori Art Space (Seoul, 2021) and Arirang Gallery (Busan, 2018). Other significant solo shows include those at Gallery Joeun (2014), UNC Gallery (2014), and Gallery Hyundai (2009, 2013). In addition to his solo work, Byen has participated in more than 100 curated group exhibitions worldwide. Recognized for his technical mastery and unique conceptual approach, Byen has received numerous accolades, including the Grand Prize from the Münster Academy of Art, the DAAD Scholarship for International Students, the Kunstaspekte Art Prize, and the 2005 ADO Art Award.

His works are held in prestigious public and private collections, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Government Art Bank, Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), Jeonnam Museum of Art, OCI Museum of Art, and the Incheon Cultural Foundation. Internationally, his pieces are part of the collections at the MARTA Herford Museum and the Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Reflecting his significance in the Korean contemporary art scene, his paintings are featured in eight different middle and high school art textbooks (including Jihaksa, Chunjae Education, and Mijinsa). Furthermore, his evocative imagery has been selected for the covers of various literary publications, such as To You Who Keeps Being Born (Nanda, 2022) and Forty-four (Moonji, 2015). Byen is currently based in Ganghwado Island, where he continues his practice as a full-time artist.