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
























