Kim Min Kyoung’s solo exhibition, Unveiled Layers: Cropped and Cultivated, is being held at Gallery Imazoo from December 5 to December 26, 2024. The exhibition revolves around the concept of "crop," using it as a metaphor for the selective presentation and concealment of aspects of oneself in everyday life. Just as a photograph can be edited to highlight specific parts while removing others, people consciously decide what to reveal and what to hide in their interactions and personal identities.
Kim's artwork delves into the layers of identity that remain unseen, exploring what lies beneath the curated versions of ourselves. Her paintings feature emotionless faces, meticulously detailed hair textures, and vivid colors and structures that symbolize the layers of meaning and contradictions within the human self. Through her work, Kim portrays the tension between social roles and personal identity and the continuous cycle of repression and expression experienced by modern individuals.
위장된 자아 Camouflaged selves (Crochet Drawing), 31 x 22 cm, C-print, fabric, yarn, frame, 2024
The exhibition's title, Cropped and Cultivated, serves as a poignant reminder of the deliberate choices people make in revealing or concealing parts of themselves. By doing so, it invites viewers to reflect on their layers of identity and consider what their authentic selves might be.
Kim explains her inspiration: “The word ‘crop’ kept resonating in my mind. Initially, I thought of it as merely a technical act of cutting an image to highlight specific parts. But over time, I began to see its deeper implications. Cropping mirrors how we constantly adjust our self-image, refining and tailoring it to meet expectations while hiding parts of ourselves. This curated self, built from fragments and layers, conceals the true essence of who we are, which this exhibition aims to uncover.”
위장된 자아 (Camouflaged selves- Unveild layers), 38 x 44 cm, C-print, thread, fabric, 2024
Her works aim to encourage viewers to confront their "unveiled layers"—the hidden facets of their identities—and embark on a journey of self-discovery. “I hope visitors see themselves reflected in these pieces,” Kim says. “This exhibition isn’t merely a visual experience but an opportunity to encounter the selves we construct through our interactions with society. It’s a chance to come closer to one’s true self.”
Kim’s artistry offers a deeply introspective experience, prompting viewers to navigate their inner layers and confront the facets of their identity shaped by societal expectations. The exhibition invites everyone to pause and explore the complexities of their being, making it a deeply personal yet universal encounter with art.
The exhibit at Gallery Imazoo provides a space where art becomes a mirror for self-reflection, allowing audiences to delve into the fragmented, curated versions of themselves and ultimately come closer to understanding who they truly are.
위장된 자아 Camouflaged selves 둥근 양 갈래 머리 (variation no.1-5), 25x23x6(h), C-print, Diasec, synthetic resins, 2024
Kim Min Kyoung’s solo exhibition, Unveiled Layers: Cropped and Cultivated, is being held at Gallery Imazoo from December 5 to December 26, 2024. The exhibition revolves around the concept of "crop," using it as a metaphor for the selective presentation and concealment of aspects of oneself in everyday life. Just as a photograph can be edited to highlight specific parts while removing others, people consciously decide what to reveal and what to hide in their interactions and personal identities.
Kim's artwork delves into the layers of identity that remain unseen, exploring what lies beneath the curated versions of ourselves. Her paintings feature emotionless faces, meticulously detailed hair textures, and vivid colors and structures that symbolize the layers of meaning and contradictions within the human self. Through her work, Kim portrays the tension between social roles and personal identity and the continuous cycle of repression and expression experienced by modern individuals.
위장된 자아 Camouflaged selves (Crochet Drawing), 31 x 22 cm, C-print, fabric, yarn, frame, 2024
The exhibition's title, Cropped and Cultivated, serves as a poignant reminder of the deliberate choices people make in revealing or concealing parts of themselves. By doing so, it invites viewers to reflect on their layers of identity and consider what their authentic selves might be.
Kim explains her inspiration: “The word ‘crop’ kept resonating in my mind. Initially, I thought of it as merely a technical act of cutting an image to highlight specific parts. But over time, I began to see its deeper implications. Cropping mirrors how we constantly adjust our self-image, refining and tailoring it to meet expectations while hiding parts of ourselves. This curated self, built from fragments and layers, conceals the true essence of who we are, which this exhibition aims to uncover.”
위장된 자아 (Camouflaged selves- Unveild layers), 38 x 44 cm, C-print, thread, fabric, 2024
Her works aim to encourage viewers to confront their "unveiled layers"—the hidden facets of their identities—and embark on a journey of self-discovery. “I hope visitors see themselves reflected in these pieces,” Kim says. “This exhibition isn’t merely a visual experience but an opportunity to encounter the selves we construct through our interactions with society. It’s a chance to come closer to one’s true self.”
Kim’s artistry offers a deeply introspective experience, prompting viewers to navigate their inner layers and confront the facets of their identity shaped by societal expectations. The exhibition invites everyone to pause and explore the complexities of their being, making it a deeply personal yet universal encounter with art.
The exhibit at Gallery Imazoo provides a space where art becomes a mirror for self-reflection, allowing audiences to delve into the fragmented, curated versions of themselves and ultimately come closer to understanding who they truly are.
위장된 자아 Camouflaged selves 둥근 양 갈래 머리 (variation no.1-5), 25x23x6(h), C-print, Diasec, synthetic resins, 2024
