Yeon-Gyeong Seo (Seo)

“A Letter from the Quiet Side of Recognition”

(for Artmajeur, and for those who’ve ever felt belittled in silence)

Editor’s Pick Screenshot 

To whom it may concern,

To the curators who decide what deserves to be seen,

To the ones who hand out recognition—sometimes thoughtfully, sometimes indifferently—

And to every artist who has been left unseen too long:

I want to share something—not as a complaint, but as a quiet truth.

I recently received 'Editor's Pick' recognition on Artmajeur, a year after I had uploaded 291 pieces ㅡapproximately 300 pieces of my artwork including photography.

On the surface, it might seem like a small joy, or even a milestone. But behind this modest badge, there’s a long silence. A silence that bruised something in me.

For years, I’ve uploaded my work with sincerity. Each painting was not just a visual—it was an emotional outcry, a metaphor, a reflection of the struggles and complexities of being human. I didn’t rush for popularity. I didn’t paint to impress. I painted to endure, to question, to breathe.

But what I received in return was indifference.

I watched new artists—some with only one or two pieces—immediately awarded Editor’s Pick, while I remained invisible. No feedback. No recognition. No basic technical support, like proper categorization of my work—while others enjoyed neatly divided portfolios and broader visibility. I wondered... was it my origin? My style? My silence?

And yet, I continued.

Because art is not a performance for applause—it’s an act of survival.

Then came the invitation to exhibit in Venice.

Suddenly, I was noticed.

Suddenly, I was picked.

But it didn’t feel like celebration—it felt like obligation.

As if my worth had to be confirmed elsewhere before it could be honored here.

That, I must say, is a quiet kind of hurt.

One that doesn’t scream. One that builds over timThis is not about vanity. I don’t need a spotlight. But I do believe in fairness, in consistency, in recognizing effort not just when it's externally validated, but when it comes from an authentic place.

So to Artmajeur—and to any platform that claims to support artists—I ask:

Please look deeper.

Not just at the trendy or the flashy. Not just at numbers or algorithms.

But at the quiet voices, the ones who endure in silence.

Because we are not seeking praise—we are seeking presence.

To those who feel similarly:

You are not alone.

You are not invisible.

Your work is not defined by someone else’s delay in recognizing it.

Art lives, even in the shadows.

And so do we.e—like dust in an empty gallery.

ㅡYeon-gyeong Seo

      Despite the challenges I've faced, I have finally uploaded 100(+1) pieces of my artwork at Artmajeur gallery. This achievement may stand alone, but I still take a moment to congratulate myself...

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     As the year draws to a close and the warmth of Christmas approaches, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of you—my valued followers and supporters at Artmajeur gallery. Your encouragement, appreciation, and engagement with my work have made this year truly special.

    Through my art, I have sought to share stories, emotions, and reflections on life, and I am deeply grateful for your willingness to journey alongside me.

    May this season fill your hearts with peace, joy, and inspiration, and may the new year bring you renewed hope, creativity, and fulfillment.

     Thank you for being a part of my artistic journey. 

With warm wishes,

Yeon-Gyeong Seo(Seo)