“I went to the Russian Sculpture Symposium for the first time, and only Turkey went 9 times. It was a program where artists from all over the world submitted an application and applied for it. I desperately wanted to go.”
Kim Won-geun became an Artist at a late age. Before becoming an artist, he always had a dream and a thirst for art while running a furniture delivery and chicken restaurant.
At the entrance of his studio located in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, his works, which are as large as a mountain, are lined up. This appearance seems to speak of his desire for work.
His large work, like three people standing side by side, overwhelms viewers, but The exaggerated and comical appearance brings laughter to the viewer. The work that resembles the artist's appearance gives a comfortable feeling as if seeing the uncle next door.
A man with a large body, a rough whiskers, and a plump appearance. In his hands he always holds a puppy or a bouquet of flowers or coffee or ice cream. This man is always looking for love. The charm of the reversal that this work shows makes the audience laugh in the end. The facial expression of an innocent man that is different from his appearance gives a feeling of affection.
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| ▲ Kim won-geun is answering questions in an interview conducted by Sayart.net on July 15th. [photo by Rachel Bae] |
Kim's works of this kind make the audience fall in love with the work as soon as they see it. Even if the audience is not Korean. Kim's work drew the attention of people around the world. That is why he was invited to the Turkish Sculpture Symposium 9 times.
He said, “Even after majoring in sculpture, I couldn’t start an artist for 13 years. I worked harder than anyone else. I burst into tears when all the world-famous artists got up and looked at my work and gave a standing ovation, shouting “BRAVO!”. It started late, but I was able to learn a lot from seeing the global market. There is no better tool for growing an artist than experience.”
“I majored in watercolor in high school. One day, like fate, I became a sculptor. The path of an artist is difficult from an economic point of view.After I got married, I had to make a living by running a chicken restaurant. At that time, I had a great desire for work as much as my weight as a head of the family. In the end, I recklessly opened the studio. I didn't even know what to do. I just focused on sketching non-stop.” He recalled the past.
“One day on TV, I saw an wrestler competing in martial arts. It was sad to see a player whose body didn't move as well as he thought it would. Although the player lost several times, he continued to play. He looked at him and thought I was like him. I made the 'Boxer' series after seeing him continue to challenge even though he knew he would fail." He explained the background of the birth of the first work.
“Everyone wants to live a beautiful life, but it is not as easy as it seems. The characters in my work are an ugly man wearing peonies shirt. The peony flower symbolizes the psychology of those who dream of wealth and happiness. I want to give laughter and hope to many people.”
 |
| ▲ Kim won-geun Kim at work |
There is a strange charm in his work, such as the awkward figure standing with a beauty and holding a puppy. These works seem to be telling us not to judge others by their looks.
The first theme of Kim's work is 'laughter'. In his work, the artist exquisitely provides a 'smile' through the dignified expression of enduring a difficult life.
Kim seems to think that life is in a boxing arena, a 'square ring'. After the match, the players who turned into scars do not know who won. Through the faces of those who are quiet, Kim is sending us a calm message that we must accept life as it is.
He created a unique 'laugh' code through sculptures on the theme of B-class life such as gangsters. Kim is also not a glamorous and sophisticated urban protagonist. The various characters appearing in his work may be the sorrows of life that he experienced through the close people he met during his lifetime.
His works can be found all over the country. It has been installed in tourist attractions across the country, including Yangpyeong Train Station in Gyeonggi-do, and has become a companion for travelers. Overseas, it can be found at Lule Burgaz City Hall in Turkey and Almeria University in Spain.
Kim recently boarded a flight to the United States. His humorous works can be seen at the Seattle Art Fair, USA.
Sayart.net
by Maria Kim sayart2022@gmail.com
The first theme of Kim's works is 'laughter'
“I went to the Russian Sculpture Symposium for the first time, and only Turkey went 9 times. It was a program where artists from all over the world submitted an application and applied for it. I desperately wanted to go.”
Kim Won-geun became an Artist at a late age. Before becoming an artist, he always had a dream and a thirst for art while running a furniture delivery and chicken restaurant.
At the entrance of his studio located in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, his works, which are as large as a mountain, are lined up. This appearance seems to speak of his desire for work.
His large work, like three people standing side by side, overwhelms viewers, but The exaggerated and comical appearance brings laughter to the viewer. The work that resembles the artist's appearance gives a comfortable feeling as if seeing the uncle next door.
A man with a large body, a rough whiskers, and a plump appearance. In his hands he always holds a puppy or a bouquet of flowers or coffee or ice cream. This man is always looking for love. The charm of the reversal that this work shows makes the audience laugh in the end. The facial expression of an innocent man that is different from his appearance gives a feeling of affection.
|
| ▲ Kim won-geun is answering questions in an interview conducted by Sayart.net on July 15th. [photo by Rachel Bae] |
Kim's works of this kind make the audience fall in love with the work as soon as they see it. Even if the audience is not Korean. Kim's work drew the attention of people around the world. That is why he was invited to the Turkish Sculpture Symposium 9 times.
He said, “Even after majoring in sculpture, I couldn’t start an artist for 13 years. I worked harder than anyone else. I burst into tears when all the world-famous artists got up and looked at my work and gave a standing ovation, shouting “BRAVO!”. It started late, but I was able to learn a lot from seeing the global market. There is no better tool for growing an artist than experience.”
“I majored in watercolor in high school. One day, like fate, I became a sculptor. The path of an artist is difficult from an economic point of view.After I got married, I had to make a living by running a chicken restaurant. At that time, I had a great desire for work as much as my weight as a head of the family. In the end, I recklessly opened the studio. I didn't even know what to do. I just focused on sketching non-stop.” He recalled the past.
“One day on TV, I saw an wrestler competing in martial arts. It was sad to see a player whose body didn't move as well as he thought it would. Although the player lost several times, he continued to play. He looked at him and thought I was like him. I made the 'Boxer' series after seeing him continue to challenge even though he knew he would fail." He explained the background of the birth of the first work.
“Everyone wants to live a beautiful life, but it is not as easy as it seems. The characters in my work are an ugly man wearing peonies shirt. The peony flower symbolizes the psychology of those who dream of wealth and happiness. I want to give laughter and hope to many people.”
|
| ▲ Kim won-geun Kim at work |
There is a strange charm in his work, such as the awkward figure standing with a beauty and holding a puppy. These works seem to be telling us not to judge others by their looks.
The first theme of Kim's work is 'laughter'. In his work, the artist exquisitely provides a 'smile' through the dignified expression of enduring a difficult life.
Kim seems to think that life is in a boxing arena, a 'square ring'. After the match, the players who turned into scars do not know who won. Through the faces of those who are quiet, Kim is sending us a calm message that we must accept life as it is.
He created a unique 'laugh' code through sculptures on the theme of B-class life such as gangsters. Kim is also not a glamorous and sophisticated urban protagonist. The various characters appearing in his work may be the sorrows of life that he experienced through the close people he met during his lifetime.
His works can be found all over the country. It has been installed in tourist attractions across the country, including Yangpyeong Train Station in Gyeonggi-do, and has become a companion for travelers. Overseas, it can be found at Lule Burgaz City Hall in Turkey and Almeria University in Spain.
Kim recently boarded a flight to the United States. His humorous works can be seen at the Seattle Art Fair, USA.
Sayart.net
by Maria Kim sayart2022@gmail.com
