Kim Hyunsik was born in 1965 in Sancheong, South Korea. He earned a bachelor’s degree in painting from the College of Fine Arts at Hongik University in Seoul. Hyunsik has adopted the monochrome painting technique that forms the foundation of early Korean contemporary art, and has set as his goal to extend the course of contemporary art history by creating new meanings and forms in painting. The artist draws inspiration from the silent paintings of Korean painter Yun Hyong-keun (1928–2007), the extraordinary aesthetics developed by the two masters of Abstract Expressionism, Mark Rothko (1903–1970) and Agness Martin (1912–2004), and the “white space” concept of the Chinese master Ni Zan (1301–1374). Represented by Hakgojae Gallery—Korea’s most established gallery, which opened its doors in Seoul in 1988 and has since led the Korean art market with the goal of bridging the past and the future—Hyunsik’s works include vibrant, monochromatic color fields that offer a modern interpretation of traditional Korean and East Asian painting, as well as hyper-realistic depictions of the backs of women’s heads and “trompe l’oeil” (optical illusion) waterfall landscapes.

In addition to Korea, Hyunsik has held solo exhibitions in various countries around the world, including Germany, Belgium, China, France, and the United Kingdom, and has exhibited his works in numerous group exhibitions. Hyunsik’s works have also been presented to art lovers at prestigious international art fairs. These include the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, South Korea (2014); the Busan Biennale, Busan, South Korea (2012); Galerie Orem, Paris, France (2010); and Galerie von Braunbehrens, Munich, Germany (2009). The artist was honored with the “Korea Tomorrow” award in 2014.

Kim Hyunsik lives and works in Ulsan, South Korea.

Curriculum Vitae PDF