Hyejeong Yoo (b. 1992, Seoul) is a photographer currently based in Leipzig, Germany. She holds her B.F.A. in Photography from Chung-Ang University in Seoul and completed her Diploma with honors, followed by Meisterschülerin (postgraduate studies for artists) under Prof. Heidi Specker at the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB).
Yoo’s work explores the notion of the Other and the cyclical interplay of life and death through minimalist, meticulously staged compositions. Her images are defined by natural light, silence, and the quiet tension between formal restraint and unexpected warmth. Employing both photography and video, she creates a performative space where the seemingly empty gazes of her protagonists convey deep emotional presence, drawing viewers into an intimate exploration of absence and connection.
Education
2024
Meisterschülerin with Prof.Heidi Specker, Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB), Germany
2022
Diploma in photography (with honors), Class of Prof.Heidi Specker, HGB Leipzig, Germany
2016
B.F.A in Performing Arts and Media/Photography, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
2013
Student exchange program in Media Art, Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany
Selected Exhibitions
Soon
WIN/WIN, Museum Gunzenhauser, Chemnitz, Germany
We Contain Multitudes, Alte Handelsschule, Leipzig, Germany (Solo)
2025
Acts of Soft Defiance, Slug, Leipzig, Germany
Choreography, Cinémathèque, Leipzig, Germany (Solo)
2024
Styrian Photo Biennale, Graz, Austria
Analysis of Anger, Werkschauhalle Spinnerei, Leipzig, Germany
We Will Hurt Each Other, Bibliotheca Albertina, Leipzig, Germany (Solo)
Spaces: Leipziger Kunsträume im Fokus, Werkschauhalle Spinnerei, Leipzig, Germany
Rally, Bistro 21, Leipzig, Germany (Duo)
I can't stop Andy from growing up, Alternative Archive, Seoul, South Korea
Aesthetica Art Prize (Longlist Showcase), York Art Gallery, England
2023
gute aussichten, New German Photography 2022/2023, Kunsthalle Pfaffenhofen, Germany
gute aussichten, New German Photography 2022/2023, Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Germany
gute aussichten, New German Photography 2022/2023, Landesmuseum Koblenz, Germany
SIZAK x Ami Art Museum, Dangjin, South Korea
the continuous stream of beginnings and endings, alpha nova & galerie futura, Berlin, Germany
PEP New Talents 2022, 254 Forest, Brussels, Belgium
2022
Treues Herz, Goethe-Institut Seoul, South Korea
Fotohof Calling, Fotohof Studio, Salzburg, Austria
Angenommen, Hier, Neue Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst, Gera, Germany
A5, AS/EM, curated by Erik Swars, Leipzig, Germany
Carrying, Caring, HGB Gallery, Leipzig, Germany (Diploma show)
2021
Margo, Me and More, HGB Gallery, Leipzig, Germany
Fernweh, Poiesis Galerie, Markkleeberg, Germany
Come Closer, Spinnerei Halle 14 UG, f/stop Reflections, Leipzig, Germany
News From Klasse Specker, Plast, Leipzig, Germany
2020
The World is Not Enough, curated by Hanna Stiegler and Paul Niedermayer, Adalberstr.9, Berlin, Germany
2019
Science-Fiction-History, Gallery of European Art School of Bretagne, Quimper, France
Let Us Stop Here, Gallery SMAC, Berlin, Germany
World Biennial Of Student Photography, Novi Sad, Serbia
2018
Copenhagen Photo Festival, Denmark
Photokina, Cologne, Germany
2017
After You, Kunstraum D21, Leipzig, Germany
2015
Vision, Gallery Luminarie, Seoul, South Korea
2014
5色, Yoon Design Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
Awards / Grants
2024
Aesthetica Art Prize (Longlist)
2023
Rössing-Price for Photography
gute aussichten, New German Photography 2022/2023
2022
Graz Residency for International Photographers, Camera Austria & Kulturvermittlung Steiermark, Austria
PEP New Talents, Brussels, Belgium
2020
Study Award of the HGB Friends and Sparkasse Leipzig
Artist-in-Residence, SASSO Residency, Vairano, Switzerland
2018
German Youth Photo Award (Deutscher Jugendfotopreis)
Collections
2025
Kunstfonds der Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden
2020
Migrant Communities: Stories, Individuals and Identity, Student Edition Exhibition & Exchange Studio Art Department, Printmaking Collection Stockton University, New Jersey, USA
Publications
2022
Der Greif, Issue 15 - The Collectivity Issue, Munich, Germany, selected work Carrying, Caring
Monthly Photography Magazine, No.649, Seoul, South Korea, selected work deine Füße auf meinen Füßen
2020
Dreiklang, No.5, Leipzig (Oper Leipzig Magazin), Germany, selected work Untitled
2019
Blank Vol.1, Wien, Austria, selected work Brilliant Lies
2015
Jigeum Vol.3, Seoul, South Korea, selected work Presence
Lectures
2025
Evening academy at the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (Abendakademie der HGB)
2024
Evening academy at the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (Abendakademie der HGB)
Filmmaking Workshop, as part of a collaborative project between the Landesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung Sachsen e.V. and HGB Leipzig
Design and Code: Rita Sabbo
Copyright 2025: Hyejeong Yoo