SEOUL (ANN/THE KOREA HERALD) – Aatchim’s distinctive perspective is deeply shaped by her congenital eye condition, intermittent strabismus, which intermittently causes her eyes to misalign.
Turning this condition into something more profound, she uses it to fuel her artistic vision, enabling her to deconstruct personal memories with a microscopic and prismatic approach, examining moments of pain and transforming them into intricate, cinematic sequences.
Gladstone Gallery in Seoul is currently showcasing her first solo exhibition of the rising Korean artist whose real name is Kim Jo-eun – Aatchim is a pseudonym she works under.
This exhibition marks a significant milestone in her career, highlighting her innovative use of silk as an artistic medium to depict scenes imbued with warmth and compassion.
Despite the challenges posed by her limited stereoscopic vision, Aatchim has turned this limitation into a creative advantage. Her works evoke intimate memories that appear almost illusory, a testament to her ability to harness her unique perception.
The exhibition, titled “Minimally Invasive,” alludes to the precision and delicacy of surgical procedures designed to minimise bodily harm, echoing the subtlety and fragility of her art.
The transparency of silk in her paintings lends a dreamlike quality to her subjects. She employs a mix of watercolour, pastel pencils, walnut ink, and white gold leaf to create these ethereal images.
Aatchim describes her technique as “Transparentism,” a meticulous practice dedicated to capturing the nuances of her memories in translucent scenes.
“Minimally Invasive” features approximately 14 works, including a notable 7-centimetre-tall bronze and walnut wood sculpture titled “Before the Saviour (Kneeled Nutcracker).”
This piece exemplifies her philosophy, which she describes as a preference for minimal presence and the appreciation of small, intimate gestures over grandiose actions.
“Here, ‘Minimally Invasive’ becomes a philosophy of life for those who prefer minimal presence while wishing to become subjects of piercing memories, see the tiniest flowers rather than the forest, cherish small gestures over grandiose actions, and mess up the melodies by chasing after every little missing lyric,” Aatchim explains.
Originally from South Korea, Aatchim now resides and works in Brooklyn.
Her exhibition at Gladstone Gallery runs through August 3, offering a profound glimpse into her delicate and introspective world.
