‘Breathing stops at the moment a brush is drawn.’
Artist: 김민찬 / Kim Min Chan
Artistic style: Wave like 3D calligraphic brush strokes that are frozen in time
Biggest artistic influences: Van Gogh and Lee Ufan
Studio: Namyangju-si
Kim has loved to draw since he was a child, and majored in Western drawing at Korea’s Hansung University in Korea. ‘I’ve never stopped drawing in my life,’ he says. Along side his decade long career to date as a professional artist, which Kim has run private art academies for students who wish to be attend an art university. Kim’s work has been showcased at three solo exhibitions, two international art fairs and various group exhibitions.
Artistic profile
Seeking harmony between space and colour in his paintings, Kim experimented with acrylics until he happened upon a way to isolate a stroke of pigment; to freeze it at a moment in time. Upscaled to emphasise their individual characteristics and rhythm, a collection of brushstrokes, often in a single hue, are assembled on a canvas. As vast three-dimensional calligraphic curls of pure colour that swirl and tumble across a matte surface, the result is more akin to relief sculpture than painting – a spectacular embodiment of gesture.
Kim’s signature artistic style
Kim’s work of visualising the wave and his signature artistic style on display as part of Korean Art London 2023 has been something he has worked on and continually developed/improved for five years. This series, which gives life or lifeness as he describes it to ‘unlive material’, is an expression or action from the individual rather than any influence from external sources.
How do you create your pieces?
Since my materials are three-dimensional, accurate planning and conception are compulsory. There are some processes that need extreme focus especially for combining the materials and drying them. However, I’m based on my own inspiration regarding the initial image conception and motif.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I usually get motivated when I go to fishing and/or travelling.
Do you have a favourite piece of art that you have created?
The most satisfying work of mine is ‘The Waves of the Beginning 2022’, which shows my initial intention well.
Do you have any tips for other artists who are just starting out?
I would like to tell them to keep going with their hard work and truthful creation of the artwork since the arts are like a marathon. Also, I hope they would start their work with deep consideration from their heart as to whether the piece they are creating suits them.
What are some of the challenges you have faced as an artist?
I had creative challenges rather than financial challenges. I spent a hard time finding my original way of expressing my intention and coping with the experiments and failures was difficult for me.
What has been the most surprising thing about being an artist?
The creative process involves the total immersion of your body and mind. Of course, all occupations need some kind of immersion at some point, but creating the arts needs full immersion and it awakes the life and surprises me.
What do you hope people take away from your artwork?
The Universe is moving with one wave, and we are a part of it, and a mixture of seen and unseen. I hope the audience could feel the wave, and movement of colour.
Faye’s comment
The colours and movements in Kim’s waves are incredible to look at. It’s easy to see the liveness he mentions. I knew I was going to like looking at his pieces before I visited the exhibition but seeing them in real life, with my own eyes, was so exciting. They’re so impressive and beautiful but there is nothing quite like seeing them, and the shapes for yourself in real life. They really are 3D! I’ve been thinking a lot lately, largely in awe, of how the artist manages to create the shapes. I could pass a long period of time looking at them.
I had the honour of meeting Kim* on the exhibition opening night and I thought of (and very nearly did) asking him about the technical process itself but I decided against, not wanting to ruin the magic, being quite content to remain in awe – plus I felt like Kim probably gets asked that a lot. Also I didn’t know how to say ask in Korean.
Kim can be found on Instagram at: @cheongwon0107
*I also met his wife, who was at the show and together the were both very kind and encouraging when I tried speaking in Korean – something which I still get very nervous about – something which really meant a lot to me.
A special thank you to Kim Yeunjin of Korean Art London for her considerable efforts in assisting me with translations.