Kim Hyun Kyung

Statement

I use bamboo as my subject. Bamboo is one of the “Four Gracious Plants (Four Gentlemen)” in the Asian culture. The four plants – the plum blossom, the orchid, the chrysanthemums and the bamboo – were all chosen for their distinct characteristics and each holds its own symbolism. The plum blossom, flower of the spring, represents the unrelenting spirit of the literati scholar as it bursts even in cold weather. The orchid is fragrant plant that diffuses elegant aroma in the summer in the high mountains. It symbolizes the moral virtues of the scholar. The chrysanthemums, blooming into graceful scent and form in the late fall, stands for the fidelity and integrity in the face of adversities. Lastly, the bamboo, the plant of the winter, is seen as the embodiment of the unwavering principles and honor of the upright scholar. The Four Gracious Plants were the ideal metaphors of the moral values that the ancient scholars wanted to achieve through selfdiscipline. Of the four plants, I am particularly interested in the bamboo both for its symbolism and its aesthetic aspects; the strong linear lines of the stem that appears strengthened in the bamboo woods, and the leaves that show the movements resembling that of an orchestra conductor when the wind blows. Also, the sound of the bamboos brushing against each other in the wind clears my mind. I sometimes draw bamboos inside the moon. The silhouettes of the trees in the moon represent my longings and wishes. In the traditional Korean culture, we pray to the moon on the night of the first full moon of the year, and it is in this spirit that I depict the bamboos in the moon. I also bring the effect of light or rain into my pictures that they seep through the bamboos. I believe that the bamboos reflect myself and that they will mature as my mind and thoughts do.

GlogauAIR Project

I am applying for the GlogauAir Project in the view of creating novel forms of bamboos, immersed in a new environment and surrounded by different artists. By discussing and sharing ideas with others, I wish to discover new images of the bamboo that I have not yet thought of. I believe that there are subjects, organism or not, that holds the images of the Four Gracious Plants, or at least the bamboo, in the Western culture and I hope to find them in Berlin, Germany. The Korean city, Damyang, is famous for its bamboos. The city is full of the bamboo trees and people visit to experience their energy. Besides the woods, there are also everyday utensils made of bamboo for the tourists. It was after the bamboos of Damyang that most of my pictures were drawn, and I wish to introduce them to GlogauAir, Berlin, through my works. If I am selected for the Residency Program, I will primarily have to cover for the expenses myself but I plan to apply for the financial aid to the Culture and Arts Support Center in Damyang. If I can receive enough support, I plan to relocate the bamboos of Damyang at the residence. I expect that my expenses will be between 9,500 and 14,000 dollars for the six month stay but more will be needed if it is possible to realize my project to cultivate the bamboos at the residence. I sincerely hope that the bamboo leaves from Damyang will be able to flutter their greetings in the Berlin wind.

CV Summary

Education

• 1997 B.F.A in Oriental Painting, College of Ewha Womans University
• 1999 M.F.A in Oriental Painting, Graduate School of Art Ewha Womans University
• 2014 ph.D. Candidate (Fine Art) at Ewha Womans University.

Professional Experience

• 2004~2005 Instructor, College of Arts, Dea-jin University.
• 2005~2008 Instructor, College of Arts, Su-won University.
• 2008~ Instructor, College of Arts, Dan-Kook University.
• 2009~2010 Instructor, College of Arts, Dea-jin University.
• 2011~2012 Instructor, College of Arts, Dan-Kook & Dea-jin University.
• 2013 Instructor, College of Arts, Ewha & Dea-jin University.
• 2015, 2016 Instructor, College of Arts, Ewha & Su-won University.

Residencies

• 2014 GlogauAir Residency in Berlin (Germany)
• 2015 Art Studio NANDAL (YangPyeong, korea)

Individual Exhibitions

• 2016 Kumho museum (seou ,south korea) okgwa Museum ( okgwa, south korea).
• 2014 LEE GALERIE BERLIN (Germany – Berlin).
• 2013 GALLERY MANO (Seoul, South Korea).
• 2012 LEE GALERIE BERLIN (Germany – Berlin).
• 2009 GALERIE AN DER PINAKOTHEK DER MODERNE BARBARA RUETZ (Germany – Munchen).
• 2007 In-Sa Art Center (Seoul, South Korea) – Korean Art Best Artist – Grand prize.
• 2003 Sam-Jung Art Space (Seoul, South Korea).
• 2002 Kwan-Hoon Gallery (Seoul, South Korea).

Individual Exhibitions – Booth

• 2008, 2009, 2010 Karlsruhe Art Fair (Germany).
• 2009 9th KCAF- Korean Contemporary Art Festival (The Art Museum of Arts Center, Seoul).
• 2007 Seoul Fine Art Show (Seoul) Lim-Lip Art Museum -Room of 16th, Harmony of Line & Color. NAAF -Northeast Asia Art Festival (Japan). 7th KCAF- Korean Contemporary Art Festival (The Art Museum of Arts Center, Seoul). 6th KCAF- Korean Contemporary Art Festival (The Art Museum of Arts Center, Seoul).
• 2005 5th KCAF- Korean Contemporary Art Festiva (The Art Museum of Arts Center, Seoul).
• 2004 4th KCAF- Korean Contemporary Art Festival (The Art Museum of Arts Center, Seoul).

Art Fair – Group

• 2015 KIAF, Taipei Art Fair( Taipei), Pusan Art Fair (Pusan), Pusan Art Show (Pusan), 2014 Taipei Art Fair( Taipei)
• 2013 Taipei Art Fair( Taipei) / Houston Fine Art Fair (U.S.A) Pusan Art Show (Pusan)
• 2011 DaeGu Art Fair ( DaeGu )
• 2010 CHICAGO Art Fair (U.S.A)
• 2009 BERLINER LISTE (Germany)
• 2008 SCOPE – London – International Contemporary Art Fair (British).
• 2007 Karlsruhe Art Fair (Germany), Hong Kong Art Fair (Hong Kong).
• 2006 Beijing Art Expo (China).

Awards

• 2007 Korean Art Best Artist – Grand prize.
• 2006 Specially Selected Artistic Department of Korean Culture
• 2005 The Republic of Seoul Art Exhibition – Excellent prize.
• 2003 Specially Selected at 14th Misul-Segai Grand art Festival & Selected Dan-Won Art Exhibitions (Dan-Won Museum).
• 2002 The 21th Selected The National Art Exhibitions (National Museum of Contemporary Art)
• 2001 The 20th Selected The National Art Exhibitions (National Museum of Contemporary Art).
• 1999 The 18th Selected The National Art Exhibitions (National Museum of Contemporary Art)

Group Exhibitions

• 2014 Open Studio (GlogauAir Residensy, Berlin).
• 2012 Korean Contemporary Art (LEE galerie, BERLIN). Spring (Gallery MANO)
• 2009 New millennium of Oriental painting (The Art Museum of Arts Center, Seoul).
• 2008 BUSAN INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR (BUSAN). Elite Artist of Korean Art (Dan-Won Museum). 5Th GONGJU INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL (GONGJU). N Gallery Grand Opening Exhibitions (N Gallery, Bundang).
• 2007 Seoul International print ,photo& Edition works Art Fair (The Art Museum of Arts Center, Seoul). The harmony of differences (Gallery Mi-So, Coex Inter Continental hotel, Seoul). Flower, Human, May (Gallery AKA, Seoul).
• 2006 Korean Art – Vision 2007 (Ga-Na Forum Space). The Vision & Direction of Contemporary Paintings (Gallery AKA, Seoul). Korean- France Young Artist Festival (Modern Culture Center). The Morning of Kwang Hwa Moon (Gallery Jung). The Exhibitions of 16 Korean Contemporary Artists (Gallery Passage, Praha). The Exhibition – 21 Artists (Gallery AKA, Seoul).
• 2005 Korean Fine Art – Present of tomorrow II (Gallery AKA, Seoul) . Intellegence & Sensibillity (Sejung Center for the Performenceof Art) Nam – Song Art Museum GrandOpening Exhibitions “Present of Korea Fine Art (Nam- Song Art Museum). Beijing Art Expo – The 8th International Fine Art Exposition (China).

Collections

• Laserklinik Karlsruhe(Diploma in Aesthetic laser Medicine) -Karlsruhe in Germany
• PRAXISKLINIK (Dr. KOHM)-Karlsruhe in Germany.
• Kangnam Joongang Hospital, Seoul in Korea.
• Art Bank – Gwacheon in Korea.

Gallery