Timeless is the title of Kim’s series introduced in Korea for the first time through the exhibition and contains the artist’s willingness to overcome the finitude of human nature through art. For almost thirty years, Kim has been developing a body of creative works that employ Hanji, the Korean mulberry paper, and ink, as well as fire. Exploring the artistic movements of the East and West, Kim uses black ink to draw lines or create spontaneous strokes, and repeatedly pastes the layers of Hanji paper which she delicately burns with incense sticks and candles. Based on a sufficient understanding of Hanji’s unique properties, Kim captures the beautiful colors and smudges of Hanji in her work, and creates a sense of space and aesthetic tension by formulating the pieces of burned Hanji. Works made through repeated process of burning and gluing contains the theory of Eastern philosophy such as emptiness and fullness, yin and yang, and samsara.

all images © the gallery and the artist(s)