Bo Min Kim’s solo exhibition Link, curated by Gallery DASUN, is on display from October 31 to November 15 across two main galleries in Gwacheon. This exhibit invites visitors to explore themes of solitude, human connection, and the fundamental essence of existence. Drawing on existentialist philosophy, Kim’s work captures the journey of individuals within urban landscapes, exploring the way they connect with both their surroundings and themselves.
The exhibition’s title, Link, reflects Kim’s focus on the relationships between self and other, individual and world. Through simplified, geometric compositions, her paintings reveal the intricate balance between isolation and interconnectedness. Her work embodies the existentialist notion that “existence precedes essence,” portraying scenes of urban life where solitude and contemplation blend with the backdrop of bustling cityscapes.
Kim’s paintings often depict solitary figures with their backs turned to the viewer, reminiscent of Alberto Giacometti’s sculptures, which convey a similar sense of isolation and introspection. In Kim’s work, these figures are seen walking or gazing outward, symbolizing the human experience of navigating through life. Walking becomes a metaphor for existence itself, while the act of looking signifies a mindful engagement with the world. The figures seem to move within a space that is both personal and universal, suggesting that to walk is to be alive and to observe is to engage with one’s own existence.
A key feature of Kim’s art is her use of minimalist, abstract forms to represent buildings and urban spaces. Although the forms are simplified, viewers perceive them as spatially real, reflecting Kim’s fragmented memories of various cityscapes. The restrained lines and shapes serve as visual placeholders for her emotional experiences, while the subtle yet vibrant colors evoke her current state of mind. Each work contrasts monochromatic memories with vivid present-day emotions, blending past and present into a cohesive visual narrative.
Color is a central element in Kim’s works, with each hue symbolizing an emotional state or memory. In her exploration of color field abstraction, she strips away literal depictions of humans or animals, using only abstract shapes and shades to convey her existential themes. This shift toward minimalism is a new direction for Kim, as she endeavors to express human anxiety and existence through simplified compositions. These color fields act as an homage to the void, symbolizing presence through absence and complexity through simplicity.
Kim believes that the titles of her works are integral to her artistic vision, functioning as prompts for viewers to engage on a deeper level. Titles such as “Things Better Left Unknown,” “Unfailingly Morning Comes,” and “Rain Falling in Reverse” offer poetic insight, encouraging viewers to pause and reflect. For Kim, each title is an invitation for the audience to consider the themes of each piece, serving as a bridge between the viewer’s interpretation and her artistic intent.
The existential concept of anxiety, prominent in the works of philosophers like Heidegger, also resonates within Kim’s paintings. For Heidegger, anxiety reveals the finite nature of human existence, stripping away external distractions and leaving individuals to confront their own mortality. Kim’s exploration of existential anxiety reflects this theme, as her pieces prompt viewers to ponder the tension between presence and absence, and the reality of human limitations.
In addition to the themes of solitude and existence, Kim’s paintings underscore the transient nature of memory. Each work is both an expression of past experiences and a reflection of present emotions, combining abstract space with human consciousness. This juxtaposition allows Kim to capture the fleeting quality of life, where moments of clarity are interspersed with feelings of uncertainty.
Kim’s exhibition encourages viewers to confront their own experiences of isolation, connection, and contemplation. Through minimal forms, evocative colors, and introspective titles, Link invites the audience to engage in a visual journey that mirrors their own existential path. Kim’s exploration of the human experience ultimately reveals that our connections, both to each other and to our surroundings, are what shape the essence of our existence.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
