So Youn Kim FRSA

I am a multifaceted artist, researcher, and intellectual whose work blends creative expression with academic rigor, resulting in a unique and thought-provoking approach to abstract art. 

Specialising in postmodern contemporary abstract expressionism, my paintings go beyond mere visual representations; they are deeply rooted in my intellectual background, cultural journey, and philosophical reflections. 

My artistic path began at a young age in Seoul, Korea, when a visit to a Picasso exhibition left a lasting impact on my creative vision. That early experience sparked my lifelong passion for art and a deep fascination with abstract expressionism, a style that allows me to explore the tension between intellect and emotion, structure and spontaneity.

At 14, I moved to Canada, a transition that added a multicultural dimension to both my artistic and intellectual identity. Immersing myself in diverse cultural and academic settings, I became interested in blending my experiences with my art, exploring how cultural, philosophical, and social themes manifest through abstract visual forms. This cultural fluidity informs my creative process, enabling me to synthesize multiple influences—from my Korean heritage and Western philosophical thought to international art movements. As a result, my work transcends geographical and disciplinary boundaries, inviting viewers into a global conversation about art, culture, and meaning.

My artistic process is characterized by spontaneity, intuition, and an interplay of various mediums. I work primarily with acrylics, oil pastels, and collaged materials such as newspaper and fabric, building my paintings through layers—adding, reworking, and refining until the piece feels complete. My method is quick and improvisational, driven more by instinct than by a premeditated plan. This fluid, organic approach contrasts with more rigid, analytical methods, emphasizing instead the importance of emotional and sensory engagement with the work. For me, art is a form of synthesis—melding the visual, intellectual, and material into a cohesive whole.

I draw inspiration from a wide range of artists, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, René Magritte, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose ability to break boundaries, challenge conventional aesthetics, and inspire deep reflection have greatly influenced my work. Picasso’s Cubism and African art-inspired cosmopolitanism, Matisse’s use of color and line, Magritte’s surreal provocations, and Basquiat’s raw, unrefined aesthetic—all contribute to what I term “garbage beauty,” where unsophistication gives rise to sophistication.

My work, however, is not just about visual stimulation; it is about intellectual exploration. I engage deeply with philosophical texts, particularly those of Michel Foucault, Marcus Aurelius, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Foucault’s discourse on culture and power, Aurelius’ Stoic reflections on order and clarity, and Emerson’s transcendentalist ideas of individualism and innovation all underpin my creative philosophy. This intellectual engagement informs not only the creation of my artwork but also the way I frame and describe it, using textual analysis to explore the layers of meaning in my visual compositions.

For me, art is as much a thinking process as it is a creative one. I blend my visual art with writing, offering my audience both an emotional and intellectual entry point into my work. My paintings are accompanied by rich, qualitative analyses that draw from social science and anthropology, inviting viewers to think critically about what they see and how they interpret it. Art, in my view, is not about providing answers, but about asking questions and sparking dialogue.

Beyond my artistic pursuits, I am also a dedicated researcher in international affairs and an advisor in public policy and analysis, bringing my intellectual curiosity and analytical skills into broader societal discussions. My multidisciplinary background allows me to bridge the worlds of art and academia, using both as platforms for exploring issues related to culture, politics, and global affairs. I am fluent in English, French, and Korean, which reflects my ability to navigate diverse contexts and engage with audiences from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

My work has been exhibited in various settings, from high school art studios to larger gallery spaces, and I continue to expand my artistic practice. My use of large canvases allows me to fully express the scale and depth of my ideas, pushing me beyond the limitations of smaller, more easily stored works. I view Venice, with its rich history of art and culture, as an ideal setting for my work—its international art exhibitions providing the perfect platform for me to engage with a global audience.

In summary, I am not just an abstract artist; I am a thinker, a researcher, and a cultural synthesizer. My work reflects a deep engagement with both the visual and intellectual realms, blending creativity and academic insight into a powerful form of expression. Whether through my large-scale abstract paintings or my thoughtful analyses of art’s role in society, I aim to invite my audience to see the world—and art itself—through a new, more expansive lens.