GR gallery is pleased to announce Soulscapes, a presentation of three new paintings on canvas by Kwang Hyun Kim, in our project room. Born in 1982, resides in Busan, South Korea. His paintings delve deeply into feelings of loneliness, contemplation, and passion. Through detailed acrylic on canvas pieces, Kim features intriguing characters with odd facial expressions that evoke emotions of passion, emptiness, and solitude. His unique style, influenced by his father's work as a cartoonist and traditional Buddhist art, combines various techniques to create intricate and thought-provoking works.
The figures in Kim's work are lost in thought, contemplating life's mysteries. Their contorted or exaggerated expressions suggest intense emotions and deep inner turmoil, which are key to Kim's artistic style. These expressions convey the emotional depth of his paintings, enhancing their impact. While introspection is a central theme in Kim's art, he also explores passion. His figures often appear driven by an inner desire, adding a dynamic element to his work. This sense of urgency makes his paintings both powerful and thought-provoking. The faces of his characters are intentionally difficult to read, deviating from familiar expressions to visualize the anxiety of broken familiarity and fostering a new aesthetic appreciation. Kim's obsessive craftsmanship and attention to detail create visually captivating surfaces. His portraits reflect his view of the contemporary world, embodying a void and a yearning for a new reality. Painting allows him to project his desires and emotions onto the canvas, making his work a profound exploration of human nature and emotion.
The show opens Thursday June 6, at 6:00-8:00 PM and will be on view from June 7 – June 23, 2024.
