Koal was born in 1989 in Ulsan, South Korea and graduated from Animation high school in 2007.  She then moved to Seoul to pursue a career in fine arts. Jang’s work evolved from figurative art into her signature art style. Although she has a background in illustration work, Koal started out in painting and employs age-old techniques, using multiple layers traditional Korean paper, hanji  (Korean Mulberry Paper)  for the majority of her work.

The artist blends soft feminine shapes with contrast colourful palettes personal palettes, conveying an unusual aesthetic that is the result of the analysis of a sweet female irony. Jang Koal’s works are a curious journey towards the exploration and understanding of the modern woman, of her simple and fun adventures and daily exercises that allow her to find comfort and take care of her body to manage her body, to always keep up with the times in a world that wants her perfect.

Many of the characteristics of the Seoul-based artist’s work is often challenging the traditional values and notions of Korea itself. Mixing the surreal, often uneasy, or mystic atmospheres with bright colors and harmonious lines and compositions, she is able to create a captivating tension in which her subjects seem to feel most comfortable.

Cat-like eyes, strong lashes, bright red lips and pale white skin are trademark features of Koal’s powerful figures, Koal’s femme fatales are seductive and mysterious the protagonists in a world where exploration and discovery are key. They are inspired by Asian Culture and elaborated by Koal herself

Jang Koal latest collection is inspired from a long standing tradition of feline-inspired art in her own dreamy style. Her series of paintings called Mirage Cat depicts beautiful, raven-haired women holding black cats that are actually made up of their own glossy locks.

So far, this ongoing project includes one sketch and three acrylic portraits painted on her usual canvas of hanji that is mounted on a wood panel. Each of the subjects is shown in a traditional portrait style, where they are either standing or sitting before the viewer. The women wear feminine dresses with intricate floral prints and keep their shiny hair down. As the tresses cascade into their arms, however, it takes on the recognizable shape of a cat—and in one painting, two cats—with wide, watchful eyes. None of these women seem to be aware of the mirage, as they carry the feline-like shape in their arms all the same. The colorful botanical backgrounds complete these portraits as windows into a wonderful daydream.

It was an honour to have Jang Koal design a Gerald. At times communication may have been delayed and was more difficult due to different time zones and languages but the art was definitely not lost in translation.  A distinct difference from her recent feline offering, the canine was shipped in a 2D form halfway across the world for Koal to work her magic. With an open brief on what to produce Koal didn’t disappoint.

‘Geh Gerald‘ was born and the design sent across the globe from Seoul to Manchester, UK to be formed into a 3D paper sculpture.

The monochrome style design with ruby red lips dotted across the paper dog, lends itself to Seoul usual style with figures staring intently with cat-like eyes. The dash of colour from the pouty red lips stand out against the monochromed figures which are unusual for Koal but perhaps are representative of the strict Asian culture and traditional values of an upbringing in Korea. Bringing in the mythical aspect of her work the patterns on Gerald’s usually bare coat are to represent lucky charms to assist the Lazerian mascot to get his wish of becoming a real dog someday!