Whisper…Dance of 4 Materiality, August 6 – 11, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday, August 8, 2024
VIP: 5-6pm | Public 6-8pm
Performance & Fashion Show 6:15 – 6:30pm
Exhibition: August 6 – 11, 2024
Exhibition hours 12 – 6pm
Featured Artist:
Komelia Okim (Hongja Kim), Jean Jinho Kim,
Tae dong Kim – James & Hongmi Kim Hoog
Professor Kim Hong-ja is a pioneer among female artists who studied abroad in the 1960s. Her work reflects her experiences and presence in marriage, family responsibilities, economic stability, and social roles. She spent over half a century creating art that matured more in the U.S. than in her native Korea. After retiring from Montgomery College in 2014, where she served for 42 years, she continued her passion for art and writing. An alumna of Ewha Womans University, she studied metal arts at Indiana University, earning both her BFA and MFA. She authored the English book “Korean Traditional Metalworking Techniques” as a three-time Fulbright Senior Scholar. Her modern yet warm humanistic works, especially teapots and metal sculptures, have been widely recognized. Her pieces are housed in prestigious collections, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, Smithsonian Renwick Gallery, Cheong Wa Dae, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea.
Jean Kim (Cha Jin-ho) is a sculptor whose works, featured prominently in the Washington Post, create a unique and uplifting atmosphere in both outdoor and indoor spaces. Originally a painting major, she transitioned to sculpture and earned an MFA from American University. Born in Seoul, she moved to the U.S. and studied painting at West Virginia University. Her journey of adapting to a new culture and environment influenced her art, embracing unexpected changes. Her sculptures, noted for their elegant strength, symbolize communication and resilience, such as boots representing her late mother. She has exhibited at the Smithsonian and Phillips Collection.
Tae D. Kim-James is a contemporary artist with a BFA in Fine Art (Sculpture) from Seoul National University and an M.Arch from Virginia Tech. He actively exhibits in the Washington Metropolitan Area, New York, Scope Miami Art Fair, and the Geum Bo Sung Gallery in Korea.
Inspired by Daniel Arsham’s “Future Relics,” Kim-James’ “Fictional Archaeology” reinterprets everyday objects as artifacts from the distant future. This concept challenges conventional ideas of time and history, critically examining the narratives tied to our surroundings. His work encourages reflection on the fleeting nature of material existence and the fluidity of time, aiming to spark curiosity and deep thought in viewers. His innovative approach is highly anticipated.
Kim Hong-mi captivated audiences with her intricate ceramic works, blending pottery and stoneware to create layered pieces. Her work process, which can take up to four months, emphasizes the unique colors and characteristics of each clay type. She prefers round shapes with jagged, unfinished edges, contrasting the smooth, warm forms. By layering glazes up to 14 times, she adds depth and complexity to her work. Her art symbolizes societal diversity, much like people of different backgrounds coming together. Kim Hong-mi has a BFA in Ceramics from Ewha Womans University, an MA in Fine Arts from NYU, and an MFA in Ceramics from CUNY. She has held three solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows, with accolades from biennales and international ceramic competitions.