Bio:

Jaehee Cheong was born in Korea and lived in various countries with her husband, who is a diplomat. She is making paper dolls as a hobby while living abroad, and as an opportunity to promote traditional Korean art. She enjoys creating these dolls because they evoke her nostalgia. Building on this momentum, she presented the dolls in Boston to an enthusiastic audience, culminating in a workshop at LexArt in 2025.

Artist Statement:

Work 1 - Yut Game(Yutnori)

This piece depicts the traditional Korean folk game Yut Game(Yutnori), in which players advance their pieces across a board according to the outcome of thrown yut sticks. Ten dolls are arranged into two teams of five, each engaged in the rhythm of the game, embodying both competition and collective play.

Amid this lively scene, a quieter narrative unfolds. A baby figure, unable to participate, clings to his sister’s hand, his expression on the verge of tears. This subtle moment introduces a contrast between inclusion and exclusion, drawing attention to the emotional undercurrents within communal play. The work captures not only the structure of the game, but also the nuanced feelings that exist alongside it.

Work 2 - Red Light, Green Light(Mugunghwa flowers have bloomed)

This work draws from a traditional Korean children’s game commonly known as “Red Light, Green Light,” originating from the phrase “Mugunghwa flowers have bloomed.” The scene is frozen at a moment of heightened tension, where movement and stillness determine success or failure.

Each figure embodies a distinct response: one child runs ahead in urgency, another halts abruptly to avoid being caught, while a third approaches with quiet bravery to rescue a captured friend. Through these varied gestures, the piece explores themes of risk, courage, and quick decision-making. By capturing this fleeting moment, the work transforms a familiar game into a study of instinct, strategy, and interpersonal connection.

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