Title
Rust and Resonance
Artist
Opening Reception
Exhibition Period
In his early work, Kim sculpted massive metal blocks to depict human forms. Unlike traditional sculptural materials such as clay, wood, or stone, he chose metal for its unique qualities, despite its difficulty to carve.
A turning point in his practice occurred in 1997 when three of his works were stolen during an exhibition in the UK. While reworking his lost sculptures, he began collecting iron dust from his studio floor and experimenting with it as a medium. Kim’s transformation of solid metal into dust is not only a physical change but also a conceptual one, symbolizing the shift from industrial rigidity to a more fluid, inclusive perspective.
By repurposing metal dust—a byproduct of sculpting—he transitions from the verticality of sculpture to the horizontality of painting. His work reflects a desire to replace hierarchical structures with more open, horizontal ones, encouraging viewers to experience mental and spiritual freedom, akin to the liberated nature of scattered iron dust.
