I paint multicolored animals in vibrant scenes through my series titled "Animalscaping," a fusion of "animal-scape" and "ing," representing my ongoing exploration of a world beyond reality. Instead of seeking to replicate the familiar, my artistic endeavors aim to evoke new emotions and transport viewers to an unreal realm.

As a passionate animal rights activist, the placement of animals within my paintings serves as my artistic response to environmental and societal challenges. My works are designed to prompt questions and conversations about pressing social issues, challenging viewers to contemplate the role of art in addressing problems such as environmental degradation. Through my art, I convey a compelling message about the critical societal issues that demand our attention and action.

I strive to be an artist who motivates viewers to engage with and respond to current environmental concerns. The interpretive nature of art allows individuals to derive diverse meanings based on their cultural and experiential backgrounds. Despite these varied interpretations, a common awareness emerges—the animals depicted in my paintings are under threat. I emphasize that wildlife and humans share the same Earth, yet animals' lives are often overlooked. Acknowledging the perilous situation of wildlife is crucial in transitioning from conflict to coexistence, as human actions play a central role in the endangerment of these species.

My color palette is a deliberately chosen mix stored in containers, with each combination meticulously selected to evoke tranquility and contribute to visual stability. Engaging in simultaneous work on multiple paintings, I infuse passion by transitioning between canvases with impromptu and free-flowing vibes. Believing in the artist's responsibility to convey messages visually, I employ a technique involving the layering of multiple paint layers, using various mediums and materials. This layered approach represents my commitment to authenticity over mere visual appeal, establishing a distinctive artistic language and reflecting the evolving relationship between the artwork and me.

As an artist, I feel a responsibility to create a unique genre that challenges conventional boundaries, prompting audiences to reimagine their perspectives and take action on environmental issues. My artistic journey involves excavating new viewpoints to give a better voice about animals’ life, striving to evoke positive emotions and inviting viewers to linger in contemplation.

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Aug. 2014 – May 2018, BFA in Painting 

EF Academy New York, Class of 2014, International Baccalaureate in Art

Exhibitions

2024

Ana Kim x LoCa Art x Sweetwaters Coffee Solo Exhibition | LoCa Art – Chicago, IL

2023

Small Works Winter Show | Woman Made Gallery – Chicago, IL

Art on Loop Paros | The Holy Art – Paros island, Greece

Emergence | Beverly Arts Center – Chicago, IL

Ana Kim x LoCa Art x Midwest Coast Brewing Company Solo Exhibition | LoCa Art – Chicago, IL

2023 Pop-Up | HAC – Chicago, IL

Spring 2023 | Cook County Treasurer – Chicago, IL

Artwalls | Fulton Street Collective – Chicago, IL

2022 

Small Works Winter Show | Woman Made Gallery – Chicago, IL

Ana Kim Solo Exhibition | Kunstmatrix – Virtual

Connected | Hairpin Arts Center – Chicago, IL

PASA Festival | Bitglim Company – Seoul, South Korea

Breathless | Influx Gallery – London, UK

Focus Art Fair | Carrousel du Louvre – Paris, France

Salon de Refuse | Kunsthalle Darmstadt – Darmstadt, Germany

ART-IN-PLACE | Companion Cooperative – Chicago, IL

Salon de Refuse | Companion Cooperative – Chicago, IL

Art for Peace | Hands of Peace – Glenview, IL

Extinction | The Syzygy Project – Virtual 

Contemporary lll |  Boomer Gallery – London, UK

One of a Kind Show |  The Mart – Chicago, IL

Artwalls | Fulton Street Collective – Chicago, IL

Love: In Real Life |  Leslie Wolfe Gallery – Chicago, IL

2021 

The Other Art Fair | Dallas Market Hall – Dallas, TX

The 40 Windows | Global Gallery ArtistRoom Organization – Virtual 

The “6x6” | Blick Art Materials – Chicago, IL 

April 2021 Exhibition | Homewood Arts Council – Virtual

Happy Birthday Chicago | Echoes of Chicago – Virtual

2020

Garden of Colours | Public Gallery – Seoul, South Korea

Spectrum-Xmas | Spectrum Gallery – Seoul, South Korea

2020 Korea Art Management Service Art Rental Project  | Gallery Vinci – Seoul, South Korea

Stubborn Visionaries | Spectrum Gallery – Seoul, South Korea

Every Art – Myeongdong Cathedral Art Fair  | D-Art Yo Gallery – Seoul, South Korea

"Winter 2020" solo exhibition | Yonsei Hospital Eunpyung – Seoul, Korea

2019

2019 T Festa | Myeongdong Tourism Association & Seoul Jung-gu District – Seoul, Korea

SEEA 2019 | Seongnam Arts Center, Gallery 808 – Seongnam, South Korea

Seoul Art Show | COEX – Seoul, South Korea

Catzilla 7 Art | Hairpin Arts center – Chicago, IL

Peace, Love & Understanding | Gallery 1070 – Chicago, IL

3rd Annual Garden Gallery | Sweat Local Chicago – Chicago, IL

4th Esprit Nouveau de la Galarie AIAM | Conseil Gallery – Seoul, South Korea

555 Special | Light Space and Time Art Gallery – Palm Springs, CA

CreativiTea Artist - Collaborate project | Argo Tea 1 S Franklin – Chicago, IL

Winter 2019 | Gallery A-Brick – Seoul, South Korea 

2018

Artrooms Fair Seoul 2018 | Artrooms Fair – Seoul, South Korea

2nd Annual Garden Gallery | Sweat Local Chicago – Chicago, IL

Canvas Chicago | Activate! Chicago – Chicago, IL

Festival Launch: A Night That Pops | Flats Studio – Chicago, IL

2018 BFA Exhibition | Krannert Art Museum – Champaign, IL

Selfish | Independent Media Center  – Champaign, IL

Fighting for Visibility | Asian American Cultural Center – Champaign, IL

Chapter one: Temperature of Colors | Fulton Street Collective - Chicago, IL

Recollection | Union Street Gallery - Chicago Heights, IL 

2017

Painting and New Media Show| Link Gallery - Champaign, IL  

Space for Mind | University YMCA - Champaign, IL 

Self | Block Gallery - Champaign, IL

Asia Fest | Asian American Cultural Center - Champaign, IL 

Painting and Sculpture Show| Link Gallery - Champaign, IL

2015

Art Foundation Show| Link Gallery - Champaign, IL

2014

ART International Baccalaureate Show | Tarrytown, NY

Residency

2023    Connect Residency, Hollie Davis Art

2022    Connect Residency, Hollie Davis Art

2022    The Rumpus Room, The House Theater of Chicago

Awards

2022    Merit of Excellence, Influx Gallery

2019    Special Recognition Award, Light Space and Time Gallery 

Press & Publications

Bold Journey."Perspectives on Being an Optimist". 9 February 2024. https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-ana-kim/

Canvas Rebel."Stories & Insights: Meet Ana Kim". 17 July 2023. https://canvasrebel.com/meet-ana-kim/

Underground Art and Design."In Conversation: Ana Kim, Unraveling Surrealism and Advocating Environmental Consciousness". 10 May 2023. https://www.uaad.art/post/in-conversation-ana-kim-unraveling-surrealism-and-advocating-environmental-consciousness

Insights of an Eco Artists. "In Conversation: Ana Kim". 20 December 2022. https://www.insightsofayoungecologicalartist.com/features/in-conversation%3A-ana-kim 

Art Web List. 21 June 2022. https://artweblist.com/ana-kim/

The Purposeful Mayonnaise. “A Literary and Art Journal Volume 1. Issue 5”. February/March 2022. https://www.thepurposefulmayo.com/issue-5

The Purposeful Mayonnaise. “The Bagel Hole”. 25 February 2022. https://www.thepurposefulmayo.com/the-bagel-hole-feb-25-22 

Interview with Ana Kim. 06 January 2022. https://www.artjobs.com/arts/interview/ana-kim/interview-ana-kim 

Ana Kim Now: Paintings by Ana Kim. 17 October 2021. https://books.apple.com/us/book/paintings-by-ana-kim/id1590718114?ls=1

Global Gallery Artistroom. “Artist Interview:Twenty Artists”. 1 September 2021. https://www.globalga.org/artists-gallery 

Prisma Art Prize. “”Finalist for 8th Edition”. May 2021. https://www.prismaartprize.com/portfolio_page/window_polar-bear-by-ana-kim/ 

Public Gallery. “Reality Beyond Reality”. Public Gallery. 15 December 2020. https://post.naver.com/viewer/postView.nhn?volumeNo=30232067&memberNo=41384126

Jeong, C. “Spectrum X-mas, COVID19”. Arthub. 1 December 2020.

http://www.arthub.co.kr/sub01/board05_view.htm?No=33641

Gallery Vinci. “Love”. K-ARTSHARING. 13 October 2020. https://www.k-artsharing.kr/cms/brd/noti/boardPostsView.do?_sk=boardPostSchForm_69158F64AE60DF9CAA6D71E563B2D6AA&pstsId=00000000000000000376&pstsDiv=

Jeong, C. “Stubborn Visionaries”. Neolook. 6 October 2020. https://neolook.com/archives/20201006b

Participated

- Art Battle Chicago AB2473-2-5

- “18th Annual Garden Happenings!” hosted by Bucktown Neighborhood and Garden Walk 

-“17th Annual Garden Happenings!” hosted by Bucktown Neighborhood and Garden Walk 

- Art event “Activate! Chicago” hosted by City of Chicago

- Korea Art Management Service Art Rental Project hosted by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Republic of Korea & Korea Art Management Service 

- Art event “T Festa” hosted by Myungdong Tourism Association & Seoul Jung-gu District