Na Kim, Home 2, 2024, Acrylic paint, wood, 25 x 75 x 9 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Kukje Gallery. Photo: Dahahm Choi. ©Kukje GalleryKukje Gallery presents “Easy Heavy”, a solo exhibition of Na Kim, at Kukje Gallery Busan through June 30. Since 2011, the artist has continuously engaged the questions that arise when a designer adopts artistic terms or visual language. In this way, Kim has consistently challenged the boundaries between design and art and expanded the definition of each. Moreover, Na Kim persists in her self-referential practice—based on her own design work—continuing to redefine the language of visual arts and exhibitions.
Marking the artist’s first-ever solo presentation at Kukje Gallery, the exhibition features nearly 40 works, including paintings, collages, hanging sculptures, and wall paintings, all of which explore the expressive potential and utility of graphic design elements within an exhibition space.
While working with brands like COS, Hermès, and museum art shops as a designer, Na Kim has focused on unique narratives that emerge when objects and materials are placed in an unexpected context. What potential effects might arise from rearranging elements inherent to familiar objects and events? This question, originating from a design perspective, confronts a new challenge within the context of contemporary art and exhibition.
By reframing the question, Na Kim establishes a situation where design practice intersects with the system of art, resulting in an interrelationship and cross-contextual exchange between the printed page and the exhibition wall. As a result, she has created a conceptual practice in which visitors are able to discover new aesthetic possibilities in graphic design that evolves its functional role to act as an interpreter of culture. Additionally, her works generate layered interactions among diverse visual arts fields, such as art, design, architecture, and crafts.
“Easy Heavy,” the title of this exhibition, refers to a collection of objects that appear light but are far from superficial. Graphic design is often perceived as dispensable due to its role in production and advertising. However, Na Kim presents the role of image culture differently, through sampling and editing. She also utilizes images as a visual language that evokes various elements related to the exhibition environment, thus making them perform as a thought-provoking catalyst.
The gallery is divided into two spaces: the front space showcases the artist’s representative series of works, while the rear introduces her more recent work that attempts new forms of conversation with everyday visual languages that have been re-edited.
