Dohyun Baek

Dohyun’s practice explores what it means to be human in this moment as society undergoes many technological changes. As transhumanist discourses and imaginings increase, he is drawn to the question of what humans are now and the vulnerabilities we embody. His paintings render soft, exposed figures that unveil commonplace, shared weaknesses and plays with bold colours, humorous imagery and round masculine figures to explore empathy. Dohyun’s work seeks to recognise the value and beauty that is found in pain and suffering, not as something to idealise, but as something profound in the human experience.

Recurring themes include fertility and growth, contrasting male vulnerability with toxic masculinity as part of the wider feminist conversation, and nodding towards religious visual symbols of humility and sanctuary. Dohyun is interested in nuance—holding clarity and ambiguity, the mundane and the sublime, the taboo and the sacred together—and creating works that invites reflection rather than resolution.