Joan Yi has been a painter her entire adult life, speciallzing in contemporary realism and geometric abstraction, both reflecting symbolic meaning. Her multicultual background, particulary her Buddhist childhood and Roman Catholic adulthood, inspire the spiritual inspiration of her work. Many of her works have narrative content drawn from world travels. Joan uses a wide range of artistic and technical influences, from surrealism to digital technology. She specializes in clean edges and pure shapes of color.

Born and raised in Seoul, Korea, Joan holds a BFA, from the College of Fine Arts, Seoul National University. She completed advanced work in the same Graduate School. She has also studied in France and the United States.

She has been an active member of Korean American Artists Association of Greater Washington, DC metro area. She also has participated in numerous Solo and Juried Group Shows in the U.S and in Seoul, Korea.

Her works reflect both traditional Korean culture as well as western influence in the bold color and geometric compositions of her paintings. Her Buddhist upbringing and Roman Catholic adulthood reflect a multicultural interest in culture and spirituality, expressed in the content of her work.

Since September 2008, she has a studio at the Workhouse Art Center, and resides at Belmont Bay, in Woodbridge, VA.