That’s Shanghai exclusive interview with artist Kim Yongwon

Freshly graduated from Sungkyunkwan University, the young Korean artist makes her Mainland solo exhibition debut at Noeli Gallery with works created from her two month residency at Can Serrat International Art Center in Barcelona.

On the influence of nature in her works…
For this series, I visited different mountains in different countries. In China, I’ve included Huang Shan and a few mountains in Zhangjiajie. The feeling I have when I’m surrounded by these humongous mountains is impossible to put into words.

On her artistic influences…

I used to be a traditional art major and was influenced by Korean masters who can be considered as important as Chinese artists like Zhang Taizhen and Li Keran. Their art was so vivid and inviting. It made me wonder what sort of emotions would be evoked if I was among these giant mountains.

On the use of lingerie in this series…
In our culture, it’s common to associate the magnificence of mountains to men. What’s rarely mentioned is there’s also a warm, mysterious and somewhat gloomy side when climate changes. By utilizing lingerie, it’s a way for me to celebrate the differences between the two genres when I visit a mountain.

On her artistic style…
My work is fusion of traditional art with modern touches. For this series, I used lace patters woven into undergarments and fuse them onto the backdrop of a scenic mountain. It’s a way for me to reveal my desire for a free soul while building an imaginary utopia of my own.

On her residency in Spain…
It was refreshing and great. Artists in Korea live a very intense life. Spain is much more relaxing. I was quiet shocked and confused the first month, to be honest. But I found myself some time to finally sit down and observe.