WHEN she graduated from university with a degree in advertising, design and fine art, Jieun Park did what any filial Asian child would do - she honoured her parents' wishes and took on a "stable, corporate job" at a design company.

"My parents were strict and objected to my wanting a career as an artist," says Park, who was born in South Korea.

"But I found that I could not let go of the brush in my hands. I would constantly paint into the late hours or during weekends, until later I realised I loved the feeling of accomplishment whenever I finished a painting. So I guess working at that company just made me realise how passionate I've always been about art," she adds.