“Whether working through landscape or figuration, there is a consistent energy running throughout Bae’s paintings that feels distinctly her own. Her works are expressive without becoming chaotic, and emotional without becoming sentimental. They occupy an interesting space between observation and psychological interpretation, allowing the viewer to engage with both the subject and the painterly process simultaneously.”
- Kurt Beers
Courtney Jinsook Bae (b. 1986) is a Korean-American artist, born in Australia and based in London. Bae paints in oil, depicting raw and expressive portraiture, figuration, and landscape. She is drawn to the relationship between traumas and resilience, exploring identity formation and human purpose. Bae uses her painting as an impetus for cultural movement.
Bae paints with fluid strokes, contrasted against whimsical marksmanship. Her artistic practice is defined by a balance between reality and an internal dialogue which is linked to visceral experiences and emotions.
Bae graduated with a BA in Graphic Design from Southern New Hampshire University in New York in 2015. She gained national recognition in the UK when she was featured as a Semi-finalist on the national television series, Sky Portrait Artist of the Year in 2025. Bae has held solo exhibitions in at the Bermondsey Project Space, London and the Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn. Her work has featured at the Saatchi Gallery, The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, and Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York.
REPRESENTATION
Silson Contemporary, Harrogate
London (upcoming)
EXHIBITIONS
2027
The Surrey Art Fair, Surrey, 2027
2026
The Other Art Fair, London
Atkinson Gallery, Somerset - ‘Reveal/Conceal’
SOLO: Sworders London Gallery, London - ‘Nourishing: Reflections of Resilience’
Watts Gallery, Compton - ‘Watts Artist in Residence’
Well Hung, London - ‘Well Hung Painting Prize’
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham - ‘RBSA Portrait Prize 2026’
SOLO: New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham - ‘A Project of Becoming’
The Gallery at Green & Stone, London - ‘Works On Paper 2026’
2025
Noho Galleries, London - ‘Marks of Reflection’
Barbican Project Space, London - ‘Barbican Artworks Open’
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester - ‘The Dorset Open’
Storyvault Films, Sky Arts, ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’, Series 12 Semi-finalist, UK (broadcast)
The Gallery at Green & Stone, London - ‘Summer Show’
Russell-Cotes, Online - ‘Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Art Prize’
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham - ‘Summer Show 2025’
2022
Saatchi Gallery, London - ‘StArt Art Prize 2022’
2021
SOLO: Bermondsey Project Space, London - ‘Forgetting Recollection’
2020
Art Number 23, Athens - ‘Athens Open Art’
Ferens Gallery, Hull - ‘Ferens Gallery Open’
2019
Candid Arts Trust, London
Candid Arts Trust, London - ‘Fusion V’
2018
The Stash Gallery, London - ‘Beautiful and Damned’
2016
SOLO: Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY - ‘Concrete’
SOLO: Early Edition, Brooklyn, NY - ‘The Mood’
Dacia Gallery, Brooklyn, NY - ‘Six Years Anniversary Exhibition’
Site Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Friday Studio, Brooklyn, NY - ‘Autumnal Equinox’
Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York, NY
PRIZES & SHORTLISTS
Visual Art Open, 2026 (Longlist)
Jackson’s Art Prize, 2026 (Extended longlist)
Women United Art Prize 2025, Painting and Drawing (3rd place winner)
Irving Open, 2026 (Shortlist)
Homiens Art Prize, 2025 (Highly commended)
Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year, 2025 (Semifinalist)
Jackson’s Art Prize, 2025 (Extended longlist)
PRESS & PUBLICATIONS
Hello! Magazine, “Unmissable things to do in London this October”, 2026
Verge Magazine, “The Other Art Fair returns this October with 135+ independent artists », 2026
7 Star Life, “Inside The Other Art Fair: What to discover in London this October”, 2026
London Post, “The Other Art Fair returns to London this October”, 2026
The Shortlist, “The Other Art Fair returns to London bringing affordable art to Brick Lane”, 2026
The Capturist, “The Other Art Fair is back this October”, 2026
Your Guide to a Chic Northern Life, “The Other Art Fair is returning to London this October”, 2026
Fashion Times UK, “Courtney Bae Turns Eating Disorder Stories Into Portraits of Recovery”, 2026
Wallpaper Magazine, “London Art Exhibitions to See in September”, 2026
Women United Art Podcast, “When Art Asks Better Questions with Courtney Bae”, 2026
Women United Magazine (print), “COURTNEY BAE”, 2026
The Venomous Sky, “COURTNEY BAE”, 2026
Cass Art Blog, “Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year Series 12: Heat Winners “ 2025
Behind the Artist, “Artist Interview: Courtney Bae” 2025
Surrey World, 2025
Art By Artists, 2025
Aesthetica Magazine (print), 2020