Jisook Kim is an artist who is known for her ultra-realistic sculptures that find beauty in seemingly commonplace items like swimsuits and pillows. Jisook Kim was born in South Korea and now resides in New York. She holds a BFA and an MFA and has started focusing her attention on drawing, marbling, and installations. She recently discussed her unique artwork and her experiences as a professional Artist in an exclusive Interview.
Creativity
Blasting News (BN): What inspired you to become a professional artist and what mediums do you work with most?
Jisook Kim (JK): The biggest source of inspiration in my work comes from the story of ‘little things’. My artworks consist of sculptures and drawings that are portrayed through the combination of materials that can be found in the mundane, daily life and the inner world of my trivial psychology. I am creating these ‘artworks’ as if I were jotting down the daily episodes of life in a journal.
The medium that I resort to the most is wood. I prefer the natural and warm feel of wood. In my artwork, I wish to express the feeling of energy in everyday life that is resembled by the coincidental line from the annual ring that is created on wood through the scale of time. Also, in my personal opinion, I feel that the natural material of wood can be considered slow and peaceful, yet I want to portray that these qualities can suppress the speedy.
BN: A lot of your artwork is inspired by objects like pillows and bikinis so what interests you about these items?
JK: As I have mentioned earlier, I get my inspiration and interest from materials that are easily obtainable in daily life. By using these daily life materials, I aim to tell my story of the thoughts and memories that I have as an artist.
To list a few as examples, when I lie on the bed where I end my day, I tend to rethink the happenings of that day and also ponder about what is to come in the future. The pillow and the traces above it signify the time of my pondering. In addition, the bikini is the product of the constant worry and thoughts that came from dieting.
The model in the bikini was the image that I wanted to have in the perfect world that I had dreamt of at the time. I also used my cat and cactus in order to tell the story of the companions that reside with me.
Exhibitions
BN: How did you raise awareness of your artwork and where have you exhibited?
JK: After I graduated from college and graduate school in South Korea, I held two solo shows and participated in multiple group shows. However, in an attempt to meet and work with a more diverse group of artists, I moved to New York. I had my artworks exhibited in both solo and group shows in New York’s Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. In addition, I also participated in the Affordable Art Fair and in many other art fairs.
BN: You recently had a show at the Demouzy Gallery in Rockville Center, Long Island, which is owned by Reine Emeish. How did you find out about the gallery?
JK: I first found out about Rockville Center when I visited the solo show exhibition of Long Island University’s professor, Seung Lee. I was able to feel that a big window, wooden floor, and a brick wall can exert a feeling of a warm space. I am very glad that I can exhibit my artworks at Rockville Center through this group show and want to thank the curator, Dong Hee Lee and Demouzy contemporary director, Reine Emeish for planning this exhibition.
BN: What are your ultimate goals for your future as an artist?
JK: I wanted to portray the trivial things in life that people living in the same age experience through my artworks that are comprised of the many emotions of life.
I also hoped to sympathize and communicate with the audience. I strive to be a sculptor who is able to express the diverse inner sides of the wooden sculptures with my touch as an artist. My goal is to become an artist who is patient and quiet, yet consistent and strong.
BN: What are the most rewarding aspects of living life as a professional artist and what projects and/or exhibitions are forthcoming for you?
JK: I feel pride and worthy of being an artist when the audience likes my artwork and can sympathize with me through it. The happiness the audience feels when viewing my artwork and receiving their supporting messages are where my energy to strive as an artist stems from. Going forward, I hope to reside in New York and hold more exhibitions by participating in constant and diverse work activities.
