Leeah Joo's Hyperrealistic Curtain Paintings Explore Illusion and Void
Korean-American artist Leeah Joo's Parrhasius series, named after the renowned ancient Greek painter, showcases hyperrealistic oil paintings of draped fabrics. These artworks depict draperies that appear to float in a dark void, devoid of any concealed figures. Joo meticulously paints at a 1:1 scale from arranged textiles, employing dramatic lighting to emphasize their weight and movement. Over a span of 25 years, her inspiration from the legend of Zeuxis and Parrhasius has transformed her work from featuring partially obscured figures to a void that hints at something beyond the fabric. Recent pieces include Parrhasius No. 63 (Imugi), 2025; Parrhasius No. 74 (Solstice), 2026; and Parrhasius No. 75 (Leto), 2026.
Key facts
- Leeah Joo is a Korean-American artist.
- Her Parrhasius series features hyperrealistic oil paintings of draped curtains against a black void.
- The series is named after the ancient Greek painter Parrhasius.
- The legend of Zeuxis and Parrhasius, written by Pliny the Elder, inspired the series.
- Joo paints each composition at 1:1 scale from studio arrangements.
- She works without preparatory drawings, directly on gessoed panels.
- Her compositions typically measure 24 by 18 inches.
- Joo cites Caravaggio and Gerhard Richter as influences.
- Recent works include Parrhasius No. 63 (Imugi), 2025; Parrhasius No. 74 (Solstice), 2026; and Parrhasius No. 75 (Leto), 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Leeah Joo
- Parrhasius
- Zeuxis
- Caravaggio
- Gerhard Richter
Institutions
- New Britain Museum of American Art
- My Modern Met