Jungwook Kim

Seoul

Jungwook Kim replied to a question during an interview by saying she loves shiny things the most in the world. Her comment on these ‚shiny things‘ is a large and unlimited metaphor. It could literally designate something that physically shines and also something that stands out.

Jungwook Kim’s figures glow softly in the darkness following the secret that as the surrounding environment gets darker, the light becomes brighter. While there is a figure holding tears that seem to drop at any moment even by a little breath, there is also a figure like a child with such an innocent face (but with the deep eyes and disinterested attitude). With unfolded wings, there is another figure that leans over to look after something. A figure with one glowing spot on the eye exists as well. These figures imbued with multiple layers of ink became more peaceful, sorrowful and solemn. They evoke deep feelings of sympathy and attachment in this warm black light. Their unfamiliar looks hold our attention, reminding us of the images of people that we want to lean on, or they could be just ourselves.

The silent state of the figures is derived from Jungwook Kim’s way of life. She records every moment of life with her head and mind, and opens herself up to all kinds of forms and methods of life. Like a contemplative and observant poet writing down a line implying thoughts and memories about life, living things, death and people, she delivers her feelings through repetitive brush strokes. She thinks and keeps thinking. She covers and keeps covering. She draws and keeps drawing. Like a short line of text can be visualized as all kinds of sensitive images and shapes in one’s head, Jungwook Kim’s work is like a sensitive gift comforting the viewers. She doesn’t have strong likes or dislikes towards the concepts that people tend to define as opposites, such as beauty and ugliness, good and bad, bright and dark, happiness and anxiety, or comfort and wounds. Jungwook Kim attempts to understand ‚their natural state of being‘ and spreads out that very moment of sympathy on paper. Likewise, Jungwook Kim’s unbound way of seeing represents another outlook on the world and gives us a certain shining moment.

Gallery Skape is currently presenting Shine, the solo exhibition of Jungwook Kim.

Skape

November 28th, 2012 – January 11th, 2013
2-23 Hannam-Dong
Yongsan-Gu, Seoul
Korea

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