Chanel Cha

Chanel Cha was born in Gwangju, South Korea. She spent most of her childhood in the rural countryside where she developed an appreciation for natural beauty. When she moved to Canada, for the first time, she felt that she could express herself freely and she decided to be an artist. Following that decision, she attended the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, where she had the opportunity to study the Italian Masters and develop her signature style. Her works have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions in Italy, New York and London. 

Through Chanel Cha's art practice, she is able to explore her deepest feelings and translate them into images that reach out to others, creating an emotional connection. She adopts a traditional style, inspired by the Italian masters, which allows her to focus on the expressions of her subjects, using gentle brushstrokes and soft colors. Through composition, color and light, she conveys beauty and delicacy. Cha is most inspired by her childhood where she sought refuge in her imagination. "The honesty and truth behind my works, allows me to engage with the audience on a deep level and to present my true self to the public. Although my inspiration comes from a dark place, the artistic process heals the trauma and instils hope and light in the final images."

* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 16^th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.