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Kim Kang Yong

Kim Kang Yong

South Korea, 1950

BIOGRAPHY

Kim Kang Yong is one of South Korea’s most celebrated and influential contemporary artists, known for his groundbreaking exploration of Hyperrealism and its philosophical implications. Born in Jeong-Eup, Korea, in 1950, Kim earned his Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees from Hongik University, a renowned institution in Seoul. Over his illustrious five-decade career, Kim has garnered both national and international recognition for his innovative approach to blending realism and conceptual thought.


Kim’s signature motif, bricks, has become a defining symbol of his work and a hallmark of contemporary Korean art. His hyper-realistic paintings go far beyond simple representation, transforming ordinary bricks into profound metaphors for the complexities of modern life. Inspired by the concept of simulacre(simulacra), as explored by philosopher Jean Baudrillard, Kim’s bricks transcend their original forms to become autonomous realities. These works challenge viewers to reflect on fundamental questions: What is real? How do images construct our understanding of truth and history? This intellectual depth sets Kim apart as a visionary in the art world.


Kim’s technical mastery further elevates his work. Beginning in the 1980s, he introduced innovative materials such as sand, loess, and kaolin to create textured surfaces that evoke both the tangible and the conceptual. His combination of meticulous detail, tactile experimentation, and traditional Korean artistic techniques has redefined Hyperrealism through a uniquely Korean lens, earning him acclaim as a leader in the global art community.


His impact is highlighted by prestigious retrospectives and exhibitions, including KIM Kang Yong: Hyper Realistic Bricks at Sungkok Art Museum in 2023. This milestone exhibition, celebrating his 50-year career, showcased the evolution of his art in three distinct phases: his early explorations of alienation and place in the 1970s, his innovative use of materials in the 1980s and 1990s, and his contemporary works, which include monochrome and multi-colored bricks. Kim’s ability to continually innovate while remaining true to his philosophical inquiries underscores his enduring influence.

Kim’s art has been featured in major galleries, museums, and collections worldwide, solidifying his reputation as one of Korea’s most significant contributions to the international art scene. His works have become symbols of Korea’s unique reinterpretation of global art movements, bridging cultural and philosophical divides.


Currently living and working in Korea, Kim Kang Yong continues to create thought-provoking works that challenge perceptions and inspire reflection. His paintings, at once visually striking and intellectually profound, reaffirm his status as a pioneer in contemporary art and a key figure in shaping the trajectory of Korean art on the global stage.



EDUCATION

1981   MFA, Department of Painting, College of Fine Art, Hong Ik University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

1978   BFA, Department of Painting, College of Fine Art, Hong Ik University, Seoul, Republic of Korea



SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023   The Columns Gallery, Singapore

2020   Sungkok Art Museum, Seoul, Korea

2019   Gallery LVS, Seoul, Korea

2017   Seoul Arts Center, Seoul, Korea

2013   Gallery Peithner-Lichtenfels, Vienna, Austria

2012   Gallery Michael Schultz, Berlin, Germany

2010   Gallery Parkyoung, Seoul, Korea

2009   National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

2008   Gana Art Center, Seoul, Korea

2007   Gallery Kaze, Osaka, Japan

2006   Neuhoff Gallery, New York, U.S.A.

2003   Johyun Gallery, Busan, Korea

2000   Park Ryu Sook Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1999   Gasan Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1992   Yeemock Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1988   Fine Arts Center, Seoul, Korea

1986   Yoon Gallery, Seoul, Korea

1983   Growrich Gallery, Seoul, Korea



MAIN COLLECTIONS

Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Korea

Hong-Ik University Museum, Seoul, Korea

Sungkok Museum, Seoul, Korea

Park Soo Keun Museum, Yangggu, Korea

Korean Ministry of Foreign Affair and Trade, Seoul, Korea

Parkyoungsa, Seoul, Korea

Incheon District Supreme Prosecutors Office, Incheon, Korea

Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, L.A, U.S.A etc.


WORKS

Locations and Hours

Address

Opening Hours

C1

Manhattan
150 West 55th Street

New York, NY 10019

C2

Middletown
16 Grove Street

Middletown, NY 10940

C3

Englewood - Private Viewing
455 Booth Avenue
Englewood, NJ 07631

C4

Oakwood Premier COEX Center Seoul
46 Teheran-ro 87-gil, B2 8-ho

Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

TUE - THU

FRI - SAT
​​SUN / MON

  11 AM - 6 PM

  11 AM - 7 PM
* by Appointment

 * by Appointment

 * by Appointment

TUE - SAT

SUN / MON

  11 :30AM - 6 PM

 * by Appointment

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