Growing up, I have always had a simple fascination with cartoon characters. I suppose it’s the child-like tendency that still lives within me, but I grew up loving characters such as Hello Kitty and Suzy Zoo because they were simple characters with a whole lot of personality. I recently discovered a new Korean-based character that goes by the name Dongguri – a smiling, genderless alter-ego that romps around candy-colored landscapes. The happy-go-lucky personality was designed by Korean artist Kwon Kisoo who prefers to place Dongguri in colorful Asian-inspired settings that include bamboo, rivers, plum blossoms, and rainbows. Supposedly, these paintings were designed to subtly hint at the globalism and consumer culture within Korea. Can’t snag a painting? That’s okay, you can set Dongguri as your iGoogle theme and view him every day! Just click here to activate.
Kwon Kisoo is also hosting his first solo show in America in New York City at Flowers Gallery until October 2nd. He has been displaying his work at Asian art museums in Korea for the past ten years.
