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Chinese-born American artist Hung Liu (1948 to 2021) transformed her canvases and paper surfaces into memorial sites for the women and children who she represented. Chinese-born American artist Hung Liu (1948 to 2021) transformed her canvases and paper surfaces into memorial sites for the women and children who she represented.

Early Works & Artistic Foundations

Recognized early for her artistic talent, Yoo entered Ewha Womans University on full scholarship where she studied under Kim In‑Seung, one of modern Korea’s foremost realist painters. Kim’s teaching emphasized compositional structure, tonal unity, and the moral seriousness of depicting the real. Under his influence, Yoo came to believe that painting was an act of truth and order, a discipline of observation rather than performative display. His mentorship shaped her lifelong devotion to realism.

After arriving in the U.S. in 1969, Yoo studied under Robert Philipp at the National Academy of Design, who was among the leading realist painters in the U.S. She then studied under Daniel Greene, an authority in pastel medium, and then with Robert B. Hale of Columbia University, an authority on human anatomy for artists. Her studies laid a solid foundation for her continuing development as an artist.

Ostriches (타조들)

1959; Oil on canvas, 48 x 60 in; National Art Exhibition of Korea, 1959; artist’s own collection

Her early works reveal an artist attempting to balance tradition and modernity. Ostriches is one of Yoo’s few semi‑abstract compositions. Painted as a sophomore in college, broad semi‑abstract forms and softened brushwork show disciplined composition and emotional subtlety. The palette of muted browns and creams accented with faint turquoise evokes both vitality and melancholy. Created under the mentorship of Kim In‑Seung, the painting reveals a young artist testing the boundaries between realism and expression.

Sitting Model (앉아 있는 모델)

Early 1970s; Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in; National Academy of Design, New York; private collection

Created while studying under Robert Philipp, Sitting Model depicts a figure seen from behind, rendered in subtle chiaroscuro. The absence of facial features shifts the focus from personal identity to posture and presence. The muted palette and soft transitions of light recall classical figure studies yet evoke modern sensibility. Paradoxically, Yoo’s habit of arriving late to class, finding models already settled into position, led her to develop this distinctive rear-view perspective.

Sitting Model (앉아 있는 모델)

Girl at Sewing Machine (재봉틀 앞의 소녀)

Mid‑1970s; Oil pastel on paper, 24 x 18 in; Art Students League of New York; private collection

This work, painted during evening studies with Daniel Greene, portrays a seamstress in concentrated labor. The play of reflected light on the sewing machine and the warmth of the figure’s face demonstrate Yoo’s ability to merge technical accuracy with compassion. Greene praised her mastery of realism that ‘feels rather than measures.’ By infusing industrial work with quiet humanity, the painting foreshadows her later depictions of her mother at daily chores.

Our Gallery

Early Works & Artistic Foundations

Ostriches (타조들)

Ostriches (타조들)

Sitting Model (앉아 있는 모델)

Sitting Model (앉아 있는 모델)

Girl at Sewing Machine (재봉틀 앞의 소녀)

Girl at Sewing Machine (재봉틀 앞의 소녀)

Reflective Figure (비춘 몸)

Seated Body (앉은 몸)

Muted Figure / 가라앉은 형상

Crimson Headscarf / 붉은 두건

Quiet Gaze / 고요한 시선

Lady in Fancy Hat / 화려한 모자를 쓴 여인

Potted Bloom / 화분의 꽃

Still Life with Gourd / 박이 있는 정물

Succulent / 다육

Bound Stalks / 묶인 줄기

Sitting Model (앉아 있는 모델)

Girl at Sewing Machine (재봉틀 앞의 소녀)

Ostriches (타조들)

Profile in Red

Apples in Green Crate / 초록 상자에 담긴 사과

Red Abundance

Figs on a Tabletop / 탁자 위의 무화과

Red Boat on Quiet Water 고요한 물 위의 붉은 배

Boats by the Lakeshore 호숫가의 배들

Field under Soft Sky 부드러운 하늘 아래 들판

Pears and Pomegranate 배와 석류

Cyclamen 시클라멘

Still Life with Metal Vase 금속 화병 정물

Vegetables on a Wooden Table 나무 탁자 위의 채소

Chrysanthemums and Apples 국화와 사과

Lilies and Bowl 백합과 그릇

Still Life with Skull 해골이 있는 정물

Chest Still Life (장 속 정물)

Still Life with Guitar (기타가 있는 정물)

Still Life with Bird Vase (새 무늬 항아리

Yellow Chrysanthemums (노란 국화)

Pumpkin Field (호박밭)

Willow Pond (버드나무 연못)

Lemons and White Cloth 레몬과 흰 천

Violet in a Woven Basket 바구니 속 제비꽃

Red Thread, Blue Thread 홍실 청실

Winter Trees 겨울 나무

Passing Spring (지나가는 봄)

Mother with Fan (부채 든 어머니)

Mother Knitting (뜨개질하는 어머니)

Morning Coffee (아침 커피)

Mother Gardening (정원 가꾸는 어머니)

Letters (편지)

Mother Knitting (#3) (뜨개질하는 어머니 #3)

Mother Knitting (#2) (뜨개질하는 어머니 #2)

Seated Mother (앉은 어머니)

Still Gaze (머무는 시선)

Salpuri or Beyond Han (한을 넘어서)

Affinity or Jeong (인연 or 정 )

White and Black Drapery No2 (드레이퍼리 No2)

Red, Blue and White Drapery No1 (드레이퍼리 No1)

Korean Paper and Lemons (한지와 레몬)

Crochet Table (어머니의 뜨개상)

A Petal Remembered (기억된 꽃잎)

Pears on Hanji (한지 위의 배)

Table of Remembrance (기억의 탁자)

The Weight of Practice (수련의 무게)

Thread of Her Waiting (그녀의 기다림의 실)