Ana Kim (b. 1995, South Korea) is an individual artist. She received her BFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2018. Since then, she has been working as a full-time artist with studios based in two cities- Seoul and Chicago. She is now working in Chicago, IL. Not only within South Korea and the United States, but her works have also been presented on international platforms in France, Germany, Japan, and England. Ana also engaged in many art projects, including projects with the Korean government, residencies, and publications.
Statement
I paint emotions, exploring the nuanced spaces between them. My art reflects personal experiences influenced by contemporary media, expressed through a juxtaposition of reality, dream, and future. Believing in the artist's responsibility to convey emotions objectively, I paint implied images with essential details, blurring the line between reality and dream.
My works are layered in multiple layers based in acrylic paint, mixed with various mediums, and some drawing materials on the top, symbolizing the stratification of emotions and memories. The compositions feature broken perspectives, unharmonized subjects, and unconventional arrangements, creating a realm where dreams and reality converge. The technique of layering textures reflects my pursuit of authenticity over visual allure, establishing my artistic language and challenging conventional forms.
The initial abstract layer in my paintings invites varied interpretations, encompassing psychological landscapes and inner reflections. Shattered perspectives and juxtaposed scenes capture the contemporary essence, hinting at a future shaped by the past.
My creative process involves simultaneous work on multiple paintings, infusing passion by transitioning between canvases with impromptu and free-flowing vibes. Honest and implying everything, my paintings reveal the essence of each moment. Painting is my ultimate tool for self-expression, infusing meaning into my life and propelling me forward. I aspire to create art that prompts introspection, evokes positive emotions, and invites viewers to linger in contemplation.
CV
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
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 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
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