Born in Seoul, South Korea on September 14, 1949, Myung “Mario” Jung began his promising career as a professional artist in the mid 1980’s. Graduating from the Seoul Industrial Junior College in 1971, Mario longed for his artistic talents to take flight and in 1986 he entered the Exhibition of Fine Art of the Seoul Artists Association where he was awarded the Grand Prize of Western style painting. Due to this immediate success, Mario was invited to become a member of the Seoul Artists Association, which he has now been a member of for over 30 years.
His life changed dramatically when he was paralyzed, blinded and deafened as side effects from a catastrophic, third-story, balcony fall. Not even interested in food, Mario was giving up until he had a spiritual dream that renewed his strength and his will to live.
Leaving doctors, family, and friends amazed and perplexed, Mario recovered completely and has since meticulously developed his flexible artistic style. His multi-faceted talents allow him to create richly colored landscapes, brimming with texture and warmth, often require the use of up to 12 tubes of oil paint. Brushstrokes announced by fields of color and thick paint bring viewers to the setting sun across the spanning poppies or nestle them safely under a shaded tree. In contrast, his realistic paintings (nu realism) create subtlety and sensuality as peaceful fish dance through their aquarium or pears reflect across a stark black canvas.
Truly a talented artist, Mario’s emerging popularity is heightened by his ability to create such a diverse range of work. His paintings continue to grow in popularity and value. Collectors of the paintings of Mario now span several continents including over 20 states in the U.S., his native Korea, Germany and Spain, thus gaining international recognition at a still young age.
Mario now spends his free time volunteering with the Salvation Army.