Interview
Kim Yohee
Kim is a Korean abstract artist who explores the concept of unpredictability, referring to our invitation to an inactive space. Just as there is a field of force before the existence of an object, Kim wants us to enjoy and think through artworks as a field of possibility that makes our existence possible.
She uses visualization as the ability to capture contingency, making the momentum of contingency continuously expandable to 'wholeness' rather than part. For Kim, abstraction works as an intermediary device and imagination that connects and opens finiteness to infinity - abstraction is the visualization of finiteness that gives the opportunity to infinity.
Our globality, physicality, and fleshly nature require some concrete reality or realistic narrative. The world-realistic story contained in Kim’s abstract work is an objective but emotional element, as she tries to contain the stories in it that became the object of sympathy and dialogue for people.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I had the chance to study art more seriously through an aesthetics lecture at university. The realms of ‘theory’ became a good tool for understanding and interpreting art. These made access to art easier. Then, the desire to create realistically and sensibly, rather than ideologically about ‘beauty’ arose, and I moved to the practice of art.”
What inspires you most?
“I do not work with a fixed theme from the beginning of creation. When the form of the work is completed, it seems that a message suitable for it is created. There seems to be a kind of progression, that first takes a visual form, and then the appropriate message comes out after.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“There are static and dynamic themes in my paintings. Rather than pursuing one fixed image, it seems that the images are formed according to the perspective of a kind of state of movement within the genre of abstraction.”
How would you describe your work?
“Unpredictability, which is a great feature of abstraction, refers to our invitation to an inactive space. Just as there is a field of power before objects exist, we should be able to enjoy and think about space as a field of possibility that makes our existence possible through works of art.
Neither the macroscopic world nor the microscopic world are in the absolute structure of necessity. The world is made up of openness in which everything is open. which is not in the absolute structure of necessity. We are going into and towards these infinitely open spaces.
But how long should our abstractions remain vague? Our world, society, community and corporeality require a certain concrete reality, or realistic narrative. As an emotional element along with the visual form contained in the abstract work, I think it is the role of the artists to contain the message in the work so that it can empathize and communicate with people.”
“For me, abstraction works as a mediating device and imagination that connects and opens finiteness to infinity. I think that abstraction itself plays the role of a space connecting the moments of infinity.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Joan Miro, Matt Stanners, Krstian Juul, Eddiematinez, Nelo Vinuesa, Joejene C.Santes.
I enjoy abstract painters, because I think of them as people who recognize, discover, and continuously pursue the freedom, courage, and cheerfulness of color contained in abstraction.”
What is your creative process like?
“It starts with improvisation and pursues perfection. I also work while listening to music. The melodies, rhythms, and messages contained in the music emotionally spur the work of art.
Next, when the visual form is complete, the content of the work that matches the image is added as a message. When I am not working, I am interested in reading, YouTube, conversation, and social trends. In other words, I focus on and observe the contemporaneity in which I am living. It is also a connection point that connects conversations with people, and since I believe that all art always contains contemporaneity, I have a constant interest in the ‘outside’.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art has always enriched mankind and civilization. I think of art as a kind of social collateral of values, as evidence. It is the job of artists to transition what is called ‘beauty’ into the material world.
Humans have a devastating tendency towards evil if there is no value that governs them. I believe that it is the role of artists to continue to maintain and convey the religiosity/morality of art, that is, the sublime, to society, and to help them fill their lives with higher spirituality, moral integrity, and better values.
One beautiful piece of music comforts and inspires countless people. Likewise, a beautiful artwork promotes people to pursue higher and more beautiful values, noble beliefs and life.
Art is like a bond that unites the world and nature, humans and society, history and generations, a kind of love and harmony, freedom and forgiveness, courage and the future.
Now, it is developing into a sense of global human community, and I think that popular art and fine art are developing through mutual influence and combination. In particular, the fields of fine art are fields that constantly generate works and hermeneutic discourses that can be perceived in the form of human senses. I think that the works and discourses created here naturally stretch to the realms of popular art and commercials.
Appropriate marketing attempts in the art world, so as not to be isolated from the public, will lower the barriers to entry for art and make mutual conversations easier and more flexible.
In the near future, in the era of super high technique, art, along with religion, will be positioned as the most valuable and ethical product of civilization and useful tool to protect human beings.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have enjoyed the following exhibitions:
Solo:
Gallery ILHO, Seoul, 'Kim Yohee Exhibition' 2018.8.29 - 9.4Group:
Galley ILHO, Seoul, 'Face The Dream', 2018.1.17 - 1.31
Art Prize GangNam Road Show, 2019.9.20 - 10.4Fair:
Busan International Art Fair, 2018 With Gallery ILHO”
Website: post.naver.com/930109a
Instagram: @higher_mountain__kimyh.93
