Johann Nikolaus Seliger was born and raised in South Korea, spending much of his life in Seoul and Incheon. Today, Seliger studies at the Dresden University of Fine Arts and draws his inspiration from his own life as well as the lives of those around him during his formative years in Korea.

 

Seliger’s works are deeply shaped by personal experiences: He witnessed friends and peers taking difficult paths, some becoming involved with motorcycle gangs and organized crime, others getting lost on the streets or in reform institutions. His own journey led him to odd jobs on construction sites and in karaoke bars, places in Korea often associated with the criminal milieu.

 

Instead of glorifying or demonizing this reality, Seliger pursues a nuanced and compassionate perspective in his art. He seeks to capture the shared humanity of those often marginalized or misunderstood by society. His subjects, frequently labeled as undesirable or delinquent, are portrayed as complex individuals forced to make difficult choices in order to survive.

 

Through intimate depictions of everyday life: moments of laughter, camaraderie, quiet reflection, or fleeting happiness, Seliger reveals the emotional depth and vulnerability of people on the margins of society. His works invite viewers to look beyond stereotypes and recognize the universal emotions and struggles that connect us all.

 

Seliger’s art is a plea for empathy and understanding. It offers insight into those everyday moments that shape even the most extraordinary lives. By focusing on the mundane, he invites the audience to discover the beauty and humanity in often overlooked worlds.