Toronto – September 22, 2008

One cannot paint a picture, or make an image of a woman and not deal with the concept of beauty. For artist Sunny Choi, beauty encompasses a sense of freedom, balance and harmony. The Sunny Choi Gallery will be launching its first official opening exhibition, The Gatekeeper of Beauty, on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 from 6pm to 9pm. (1046 Queen Street West). The show will continue throughout October/November 2008.

The Sunny Choi Gallery showcases the paintings of Sunny Choi and other artists who are dedicated to representing images and ideas of beauty in the disciplines of painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography.

Internationally acclaimed and highly regarded as one of North America’s leading designers of women’s clothing for 20 years, Choi now brings her passion to her painting practice, by exploring images of timeless beauty.

Tracing back to her family roots in Korea, Choi’s works reflect the subtle balance between the strength and discipline of her father Major General Choi Hong-Hi, the former Korean ambassador of Malaysia (also a famous calligraphist, and founder of Tae Kwon Do) and the beauty, femininity and poise of her mother.

“I found that I have a continuous need to create beauty”, says Choi. “It’s with this principle of freedom, balance and harmony that I apply to my canvas.”

Before falling exclusively into the fashion world in the mid-80’s, Choi simultaneously continued her practice as a painter, exhibiting at the prestigious 21 McGill Gallery and at Hart House. Imperial Oil offered its cardholders the original painting of Oriental Man on Horseback and Oriental Woman on Horseback, in limited edition signed lithographs.

Now returning to a full-time painting career she says, “It’s been a wonderful 20 years, but I finally feel like I’m getting my freedom back.”

Sunny Choi received a Fine Arts Degree from the Seoul National University, and continued to study communication and design at Toronto’s Ontario College of Art. During her career as a designer, Sunny Choi established her fashion brand in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s and Nordstrom, dressing celebrities such as Alison Krauss, Susan Sarandon, Daryll Hannah, and Sharon Stone.

The Sunny Choi Gallery is a forum to showcase her work, along with other like-minded artists, bringing their creativity to private collectors, corporate collections, designers and architects. Furthermore, gallery director Jack Atkin offers consultation to all who have an interest in fine art, welcoming the first-time buyer and the seasoned client.

For more information, visit www.sunnychoigallery.com

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