Making a Statement

South Korean painter Wonhee “Whee” Delgado finds an artistic niche for her riveting work

- Ryanne Stephanie Cheng Co

There’s something to be said about the boldness of Wonhee “Whee” Delgado’s paintings. A glimpse through her portfolio reveals loads of dynamism: bold strokes, vibrant colours and countless elements all stirring for attention.

“I like the colour red,” Delgado once said. “Red is a very strong colour and it connotes various meanings. It could have something to do with blood or red roses.” In fact, the artist’s own interpretation—of colours, of themes and of elements—has resulted in a fantastic oeuvre that is abstract yet meaningful. “For viewers, the ambiguity [affords] a different perception [even just by] looking at the same thing,” she said.

Delgado, who began painting at a young age, first studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design. Since then, she’s gone on to hone her craft at Seoul National University before emigrating to Manila following her marriage to Rashid Delgado.