discuss big philosophies, engage in serious discourses, and
through the drawing works. It was like making an elaborate map
initiate revolutions. Shouldn't an artist have a sense of self against
of the entangled relationship between my life and art, and I found
the forced repression that makes one imprison him or herself? At
out that only thing meaningless in the world of mine seemed to
least an "honest" artist should. In this regard, Kim's mere existence
be limit its scope under a unified theme. I think it is much more
is an evidence to that our expectation may not just be founded
meaningful and fun to pay attention to the relationship between
on a fantasy.
different elements of the whole."
His landscape works (Portrait series, Blood Flow Painting
Drawing work was a trial of great significance to Kim, and
series, and Mountain works), which could have become the
he set up a few principles for that end. It turned out to be the
reference to his "hard-defined" style, went down by what Kim
Drawing Project: he set up a given period of time (3 years) to
himself calls a "fortunate"fire in 1998. One can only imagine the
concentrate only on drawing, and the minimum workload (1,000
emotional emptiness he must have become exposed to out of
pieces per year). Similarly, he stripped the theme definition of
this loss. But Kim, Schwartzenegger of our art world, got back on
all its significance. He truthfully drew out incidents around him,
his feet empty handed. Is it what they call rehabilitation? There
inner feelings, and different thoughts about art as they came
is definitely something different in his works from before. Now
about. Warm choices and acts from everyday life were recreated
pure innocence may be a phrase to describe them owing to the
on paper. "You," "Me," and "We," nature and space, man-made
cleansing effect of the fire. One thing for sure, I dare say he seems
symbols, and humans breathe alive in his works.
to be facing this world more lightheartedly and refreshingly. 265
Kim chose methods of communication and expression
Okhari recreated his hometown and brought his ancestors to live
based on clarity and simplicity, and he put much emphasis on
in Project Space Sarubia Dabang in 2002. Kim intensely poured
perspective insights and reflections towards an overall context.
out his personal experience, tradition, and history to today. It
Interestingly enough, a number of figurative techniques came
was a side mark made to his prior works to confirm conceptual
into being; for instance, the repeated use of eraser-made stamps,
and visual basis for Kim's art world; he also set aside 265 Okhari
countless duplication of an objective reduced to a figurative
in his mind as he continued his walk. It might have taken a load
symbol, introduction of actual objet as well as magazine and
off his shoulder. There is the sound of whistles, different sceneries
photo images, and replacement of images with writings are only
previously hidden away, and chattering and laughter of little kids.
a few of the unconventional techniques he adopted. Visually
It could have been getting out of a hot bath. All senses emerge
buoyant and free drawings are as inclusive and open-ended in
to the surface to absorb everything around you, and through
their contents as they are in forms. Furthermore, Kim managed
his hands everything is made into art. Everything is so lively and
to avoid the pitfall in all-inclusiveness; how is it that he treats
valuable that nothing can be thrown away or overlooked.
everything there is to be in this world equality with showers of
Drawing Project: the project to be carried out for three
love and affection?
years between 2002 and 2004 first budded out of a complex
Title of each drawing piece shows how sincere he is when
psychological state resulted from the mixed feelings of fear,
addressing different objects. And this sincerity becomes the
regret, desire for change, and antisation of the prior being
source of humor. Humor can truly touch persons made subject to
evolving around the powerful thematic nature of Blood Flow
it when presented by a person who knows what this world and life
Painting series. In an attempt to capture and recreate moments
really is about. Humor is not a tasteless noise nor is it a mindless
beyond the boundaries of consciousness and unconsciousness
hobby, but rather it is a person's most honest and truthful state
without a set intention, drawing emerged as an optimal means.
of mind. It is in fact quite similar to the essence in life. Therefore,
Kim's usual endeavor to expand the scope of consciousness
one should refrain from treating humor as a weightless element
against the habitual thinking process makes drawing that does
in light that goes against the depth of sincerity. Smiles voluntarily
not get bound by a specified theme a perfectly appropriate
surface in our face are drawn by Kim's affection to life and
outcome.
depth of his insights. Some of the titles include: "Garage Is a
“I was able to create a world of mine with new coordinates
Person/ Kick and Loss" "Whatever It May Be," "Subtle Boundaries,"
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