Simon Ko

Long Story Short LA is pleased to present Stay, Rainbow by Simon Ko.

Through his paintings, Simon delves into the depths of human connections, capturing the vast array of emotions associated with them. His artwork presents embellished and altered depictions of relationships, envisioning idealized or streamlined versions of their potential realities. In doing so, Simon creates a space where the intricate process of self-realization through loving another is fully embraced. With a contemplation of love and emotional exchange at their heart, Simon’s paintings not only invoke the reciprocity depicted between subjects, but also establish a unique dynamic between the artist and the viewer.

Of his latest collection, Stay, Rainbow, Simon states, “I saw myself in this character. I began to draw the butterflies, knowing that they could represent a multitude of concepts—memories of loved ones, spirits from another world, transformation, growth, good omens, or simply beauty. But my favorite interpretation was that they symbolized change.” This revelation sparked a series of paintings that explore the human experience of grappling with change, capturing the fatigue and longing for transformation. More than a record of thoughts and emotions, Simon’s paintings became what he needed to see—worlds in which characters find solace in their solitude, gazing into space, reflecting in mirrors, or embracing moments of tranquility in the shower.

Currently based in Seoul, Simon Ko grew up in New York where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from The Cooper Union in 2011 before receiving a Master’s in Fine Art from Yale University in 2017. Stay, Rainbow is Ko’s first exhibition in Los Angeles.