KIM
Paintings
510 x 510 mm
Books, Clay, Acrylic paint, Pencil, Pen, Gesso
01
Cycle
2021.10.29
As a person who has difficulties moving on from the past, I decided to view myself in the past from the perspective of myself in the present. As a result, I have illustrated the essentials and process for my growth as an individual after questioning about what made me a better and wiser person. I realised that I refrained myself from certain things in order to avoid becoming vulnerable. By using clay, I shaped and formed them like little rocks, which explains my desire to be solid and stable. I then overlaid two books to use them as a format for collage of other constituents. Books have always been an important object for me to arrange and write down my thoughts. On the book’s surface, I assembled my notes describing my beliefs and insights, as printed pictures of what makes me strong. A light layer of pages was burnt to represent the depth of my story and myself as a person. I believe time allows me to improve and mature, which is also an uncontrollable phenomenon causing unexpected situations. I enhanced the meaning behind it by covering some parts with.
02
beforelife
2021.09.30
Going back to human history, the act of sitting was not as common as it is now, and most were standing or lying down.
The origin of this daily life habit is the invention of the chair. It was made for a person of high status during the Neolithic Age and symbolized social status. Its practicality has diversified and developed.
As time flew, lifestyle became more convenient with the chair becoming an essential element. Sitting down makes one feel stable and comfortable by relieving strain on the lower body. Influenced by our rapidly growing society, people sit on chairs to neutralize psychological anxiety and tension.
Chairs and mothers have something in common.
The safe and cozy atmosphere unique to this object, which is no longer special, is portrayed in the painting as the emotions and feelings match when thinking of a mother. A mother has been in a higher position than onself since birth, and it is a process of growing up to follow her status.
The two chairs located on either side of the mother's portrait express the role and responsibility of being a mother in a family. The chair and the mother both makes people feel warmth and security, and at the same time, you can feel the pressure and tension at the same time.
450 x 900 mm
Acrylic paint, Oil pastel, Marker, Color pencil
210 x 300 mm
Mixed Media, collage of plastic surface on a drawing
Ballpoint pen, Marker, Pencil
03
Machinery
2020.06.11
This painting was inspired by the book ‘The Metamorphosis’ by Franz Kafka.
In ‘The Metamorphosis’, the character Gregor suffers from constant dissatisfaction with his job and the burden of feeding his family. Although he had such a sense of duty to support his family, he had a flaming desire for liberation and escape from them and the reality.
Gregor did not transform into a bug for no reason. There was already a desire to escape from reality. The nature of incompetence shown by the bug can be related to this wish that Gregor originally had.
Machinery is a work that materializes and expresses the psychology of people who are being controlled by work in the busy and fast-paced, modern society. In the limited time given to us, like a machine, society barely survives due to economic reasons and work constantly for survival. This is a work that makes us think once again about whether we are really different from the bug depicted in the book.
04
Serendipity
2020.07.30
This work was inspired by Ambrosius Bosshardt's painting called 'Vase placed by the window'. Flowers possess unique beauty and charm, but its beauty is not eternal. This artist captured that specific moment in the painting, capturing its beauty, and intended to emphasize the flowers to show that everything is impermanent.
It could be said that this serves as a metaphor for people's vanity to flowers. It was intended to inform the fact that the external beauty of countless human beings who are overflowing with self-worth, without internal beauty, will disappear someday. I have realized that people's memories are the most forgettable and precious among the many things that are not eternal in this world. In today's busy society, memories are often forgotten.
This work was painted in black and white to allude to the past. On top of that, short lines were incorporated using oil pastels to create an effect of a broken and faded photograph. This work might also be part of my memories.
300 x 420 mm
Watercolor, Oil pastel, Charcoal pencil, Pencil
05
594 x 841 mm
Acrylic paint, Oil pastel, Marker, Color pencil, Pen
범
2022.01.13
Looking back at the past years, I still can't remember until this day, what kind of a child I was and what personality I had. This is the concrete proof of the phenomenon that people naturally and unconsciously change throughout time. As a 5-year-old child, I liked drawing without thinking or planning what to draw. Thus the purpose of this work was to proceed without thinking, but as I was attracted, this intention eventually became pointless. I realized that I can't beat the instinct of the human brain.
Regardless of age, when people draw, they are inspired by the elements around them, that affect them, or the surrounding environment.
Using this painting as an opportunity, I reflected back to my innocent and pure childhood, which during the process, made me try various methods of illustration. In line with the age when I had just discovered and experienced the world, I used tools that were a little bolder and purer, such as my feet. Changing the roles of my right and left hands, I covered, smudged, and rubbed the paint with my bare hands. Using these physical parts, I tried to immerse myself in the work boldly and without hesitation or worry. It depicts a black panther and a white tiger taking a break in the field, recalling the background and content of animals that often appear in fairy tales. The goal and intention of this work was to enjoy the process comfortably without any specific thoughts.
06
Everlasting
2021.12.16
Environmental pollution and plastic waste are among the major current issues of the planet. We, as a whole, must protect the environment and make better choices for a sustainable future. More specifically plastic waste does not decompose for a long time and has a great impact on the environment and ecosystem.
Despite being well aware that reducing waste is the challenge and responsibility of all of us, people still do not take action on this issue. I tried to express the phenomenon of pollution by accumulation of various substances that pollute the earth, including plastic.
In addition, this work raises awareness of environmental issues and the duty to make efforts for a sustainable life together, as people responsible for Earth.
297 x 420 mm
Plastic, Fabric, Aluminium, Acrylic paint
07
Ecnedicinoc Star
200 mm diameter
Acrylic paint, Oil pastel, Color pencil, Gesso
2020.05.14
Climate change, which is increasingly aggravated around the world, has a major impact on all of us. Global warming causes ice to melt, sea levels to rise, extreme climate events and natural disasters. These problems not only directly affect our lives and health, but also make the lives on earth more and more obscure in the future.
This artwort sends a remindful message that it is crucial to find alternatives for the future,in order to avoid the devastating effects of global warming, which can no longer be delayed. In such a situation, we must be proactive, protect the global environment and take action for a future.
The land we live on, the air we breathe, and the water we drink, our food that grows on this earth is now taken for granted in our daily lives. Global warming makes us realize once again how important and beautiful the nature given to us is. I made this work by emphasizing the beauty of the earth and nature in order to feel a little more grateful for this naturalness.
In addition, this work was created to help raise awareness of these issues and to recognize the seriousness of global warming.
08
Dried leaves
2020.11.12
Since my childhood, I grew up under the roof of my grandmother since my parents had to work to support me and our family. That's why the person I was closest to and depended on more than other family members was my grandmother.
Sharing my daily routine with my grandmother, having small yet thought-provoking conversations, and her teaching me the knowledge of life, morality, forming my own thoughts, as well as respecting, enjoying, and appreciating the little things are the most precious lessons taught to me. Living with my grandmother was a substantial element that created the person I am today. So I made this work dedicated to her.
The background depicts the heartwarming seaweed soup that my grandmother often made, and the Siregiguk, a Korean dish that my grandmother always whispered in her sleep so much so she wanted to make it for me. I then designed a pattern that artistically illustrates the atmosphere of my cozy grandmother's house, with colors reminding me of her.
297 x 420 mm
Acrylic paint, Marker, Color pencil, Pencil
594 x 841 mm
Acrylic paint, Marker, Color pencil, Pen, Pencil
09
일월오봉도
2021.03.04
Racism has been going on for a long time. It has brought a lot of pain and hardship to people of various races, including Asians.
This work highlights the beauty of oriental, especially Korean culture and traditions, to raise awareness of and overcome such racial discrimination and prejudice.
People instinctively pay more attention to things that are beautiful, visually pleasing and stimulating curiosity. This work was created with the intention of helping people understand each other and suggesting once again the concept of respecting diversity and inclusion. All individuals are from different cultures and backgrounds, and it is important to acknowledge and respect these differences.
11
Monotone
2022.02.05
This work delves into the depths of loneliness, seeking to unravel its intricate layers and evoke a profound emotional response. Through my art, I aim to capture the essence of solitude, inviting viewers to contemplate the universal human experience of isolation.
Using a minimalist approach, muted tones, and evocative compositions, I create spaces that convey a sense of solitude and introspection. The absence of human presence accentuates the profound impact of isolation, urging viewers to explore their own emotions and empathize with the loneliness of others.
Ultimately, "Monotone" serves as a poignant reminder that loneliness is an inherent part of the human condition, prompting us to reflect on the importance of connection, compassion, and understanding in our collective journey.
210 x 297 mm
Magazine, Glue
12
Hurricane
2022.01.31
This work explores newspapers as a symbol of society’s collective consciousness and the dissemination of information. Through my art, I seek to explore the multifaceted relationship between society, media, and the printed word.
Using collage techniques and chinese ink, I deconstruct and reconstruct newspapers, transforming them into a landscape. By creating a dark sky and atmosphere with the chinese ink, I seeked to illustrate the emotions after receiving bad news.
The work serves as a visual dialogue on the power and responsibility of the press, urging viewers to question and scrutinize the information they consume. It encourages a deeper examination of newspapers' role in shaping public opinion and fostering societal change.
210 x 297 mm
Newspaper, Glue
13
Toxin
2020.08.08
The generation had to be put up with one of the biggest global crises with COVID-19 having a critical impact in our lives.Our generation as students, faced difficulties and were struggling to adapt to the new environment we were obliged into. We had to adjust to new forms of lifestyle and had troubles with keeping up due to the confusion of the current situation of the world.
Naturally, social media were taking substantial parts of people’s quotidian. The time spent on media increased significantly since it was the fastest, most available way of communication for everyone. The excessive usage of social platforms caused by lack of physical communication had developed symptoms, lousy enough to be called a “mental illness”.
The speed of information getting transmitted and current actuality being shared almost spread like viruses, toxins. I decided to represent this issue by referring to poison apples. The speed of the media influencing our generation reminded me of how fast the toxicated apples destroyed one’s life such as in the famous fairy tale, “Snow White”. People would find complying to the standards tempting and appealing in the short term, when in reality, social media is controlling and governing the generation into a sense of uniformity.
297 x 420 mm
Oil pastel, Color pencil
14
Melt Me
2022.02.05
"Melt Me" serves as a visual testament to the alarming consequences of ice melting and its profound impact on our environment. Through my art, I aim to evoke a sense of urgency, pushing viewers to confront the imminent threat posed by climate change.
By using magazines, and cutting pages in pieces I depicted icebergs melting, glaciers receding, and polar landscapes transforming before our eyes through a collage. The vibrant colors mirror the dynamic nature of our planet's fragile ecosystems, while simultaneously conveying a sense of vulnerability and impending loss.
By highlighting the beauty and fragility of ice, my art urges viewers to reflect upon their own role in environmental preservation. It is a call to action, urging us to step beyond our comfort zones and initiate meaningful change before the horizons we know and cherish vanish forever.
210 x 297 mm
Magazine, Glue
15
Miroir
2018.09.21
The way one represents oneself in a certain identity, changes throughout time and depends on the surrounding environment. Self-concept or self-identity, is a concept that allows individuals to distinguish themselves.
In my self-portrait, I gathered all the elements that have shaped me. Through the interplay of colors, textures, and patterns, I overlaid layers of my identity and emotions. By making a collage with a printed picture of myself, my face was purposefully structured almost unrecognizable. This was required to emphasize the other elements of the self-portrait which would be enhancing my identity instead of my face.
Each part is a visual diary, revealing the joys and vulnerabilities that shape my being. Therefore, my art shows a reflection of my own experiences and is an invitation to embrace the beauty found within our unique selves.
210 x 297 mm
Acrylic paint, Oil pastel, Color pencil, Pen
297 x 420 mm
Acrylic paint
16
時間軸
2022.05.27
Through my artwork, I aimed to explore the rich traditions and vibrant culture of Hong Kong, a city that captivates with its unique blend of old and new. I delve into the intricate tapestry of Hong Kong's heritage, weaving together elements of its traditional compositions of its streets and buildings, forming a history, with the rapid modernization that has shaped its identity. The composition depicts an old pavement of a building in a traditional style in Hong Kong, which can be commonly seen in many districts. This aimed to elicit a sense of resilience and adaptability of the people of Hong Kong, as they navigate the complexities of their cultural heritage in the face of a rapidly changing world.
By depicting traditional characters and designs, I hoped to capture the essence of Hong Kong's distinct character and celebrate its cultural roots. Through my artwork, I invite viewers to explore the layers of history and tradition that permeate the city, to reflect on the interplay between past and present, and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of Hong Kong's cultural tapestry. My aim is to evoke a sense of nostalgia, pride, and curiosity, inviting viewers to engage with the story of Hong Kong and its ever-evolving cultural landscape.
17
5 senses pt.1
2021.11.18
My artwork explores the convergence of the newspaper, the ballpoint pen, and the concept of media in our modern society. By incorporating these elements, the artwork highlights the transformative power of information and the role of media in shaping our perceptions and understanding of the world.
The newspaper represents the traditional medium of news dissemination, while the ballpoint pen symbolizes the individual's ability to contribute their thoughts and ideas to the narrative.
Through my artwork, I seeked to provoke contemplation on the influence of media in our lives, the interplay between truth and perception, and the responsibility we have as consumers and creators of information. By juxtaposing these elements, the dynamic relationship between media, personal expression, and the construction of reality are reflected.
