ZANGANO

Born in 1995 in Ulsan, South Korea, ZANGANO grew up immersed in manga, animation, and subculture, naturally developing his passion for drawing from an early age. In 2013, he entered an animation program at university but left to pursue his own creative path, launching a professional career as an illustrator.

As an illustrator, ZANGANO collaborated with a wide range of global and domestic brands, building a strong reputation for his distinctive, subculture-inspired visuals. However, illustration was never the final destination—it was the foundation. Seeking to push his artistry further, he transitioned into painting in 2022 and has since devoted himself entirely to the medium.

Despite his short career as a painter, ZANGANO’s talent has already earned significant recognition. Within just a few years, he secured a collaboration with the world-renowned gallery Kaikai Kiki, establishing himself as one of the most promising emerging painters of his generation. His exceptional technical skill and instinctive sense for composition give his works a captivating presence.

ZANGANO’s paintings blend the visual language of anime and manga with the themes of isolation and loneliness he has experienced living independently as an adult. His characters, at once charming and emotionally layered, elevate his work beyond pop visuals into contemporary painting with depth and resonance.

With JESSO CREATIVES as his platform, ZANGANO is set to expand the boundaries between painting and subculture, making an even stronger impact on the global art scene.

2023 - SOLO EXHIBITION , ERD Gallery  , Busan
2024 - “SCHOOL OF ROCK”, Gallery Stan, Los Angeles
2024 - ART BUSAN Exhibition, Busan
2025 - "island mason"SOLO EXHIBITION  Gallery Stan , Seoul 
2025 - ART OnO Artfair ,  kaikaikiki , Seoul
2025 - Taipei Dangdai artfair , kaikaikiki Taipei 
2025 - Tokyo gendai art fair , kaikaikiki Tokyo