Rala Choi is a self-taught visual artist and photographer based in Seoul, whose practice redefines the boundaries of photography through painterly color, cinematic composition, and deeply introspective narratives.
Working primarily with analogue film, Choi constructs each scene from sketches, using natural light to capture psychological and emotional states that explore memory, intimacy, and identity.
Emerging from Korea’s independent art scene, Choi has achieved remarkable international recognition. In 2022, he was awarded both the Grand Prix du Jury and the Prix du Public at the 37th International Festival in Hyères, France — a milestone that introduced his work to the European art world.
His debut at Phillips Auction London in 2023 further established his presence on the global market, when his photograph A Woman Lying on the Sofa sold for £27,940, far exceeding its estimate and marking an impressive entrance for an emerging artist.
Through a self-directed path and experimental approach to image-making, Rala Choi has built a body of work that blurs the line between staged reality and inner emotion. His photographs evoke silence and introspection, offering a poetic reflection on human fragility and the delicate beauty of existence.
