Artist in conversation: Summer kim
“ once there came a time when I just wanted to paint and hold the brush; everything came to a silence… ”
Summer Kim, an artist born not from traditional training, but from a deeply personal journey. Her artistry was not a choice, but a calling – a lifeline in a tumultuous world.
Summer's life hasn't been a walk in the park. She has faced challenges that have left her gasping for breath, questioning her existence, and feeling like a ghost in her own life. But amidst the turmoil, a voice emerged. A voice that was uniquely hers, crying out for expression, for release, and for life.
With no formal training, Summer picked up a paintbrush as a means to survive, a way to breathe. Her art became her lifeline, her passion, and her sanctuary. Her technique, while unconventional, is refreshingly raw and authentic. She's not bound by the constraints of traditional artistic norms – she paints with her heart on her sleeve and her soul on the canvas.
Summer's paintings might need 'treatment', as she puts it, but they are more than that. They are a testament of her resilience, a reflection of her struggles, and an invitation for us all to find solace and healing in their depths. She assures us, her art can treat us too.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
Well, it's a funny thing to say, I haven't been taught how to draw in my entire life. Something within me just one day bursted out to express my inner self. So, I didn't hesitate even a day and just went out to get all the tools needed to paint and started painting. At first it was a tragedy not knowing any single thing about painting. But once I started to paint everyday I got to adapt to new skills and my inner self found all the emotions taking place within me so I guess my uniqueness came from my hidden emotions that I couldn't express while I was growing.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
Since these paintings are one of my best ones out of many I've painted. I would say my theme is "Expression." As a young girl growing up in a peaceful country where sky that meets the sea infront and green nature's surrounded everywhere. I tend to hide my feelings from my family and be their remarkable and perfect "Barbie." Which I didn't wanted to be but had no choice because at the same time I wanted their attention and love. So I hid my pains and the one and only secret that I can't read people's faces and expressions. There came the time that I couldn't handle all these sorts of mixed up emotions that I couldn't even name it by myself. Due to my background and trauma leads me to get into this topic to look past my days and start over once again to find myself.
Your journey from feeling overwhelmed to finding solace in painting is truly inspiring. Can you tell us more about the moment you realized that art could be your outlet for self-expression and healing? How did it transform your perspective on life?
I didn't know that painting was a thing until and unless I got deep into it. I was a mess before I started… All my unknown emotions that I even couldn't name just bombed out of nowhere every minute of my life. I cried day after day, got angry day after day… I couldn't explain myself as well as the doctors and family members. But once there came a time when I just wanted to paint and hold the brush; everything came to a silence. All my mess came to its standard position for me to express it one by one no matter how much time it would take me to release the last bit of it. Starting from that onwards my day has been full of excitement getting to know more about myself and the person whom I hidden and locked in many rooms within me.
Can you elaborate on how your art serves as a form of therapy not only for yourself but also as a means of impact and healing for others? In what ways do you believe your art can make a difference in the world?
So far, when I showed my art works to others they couldn't get it unless and until I elaborated to them. My artwork and myself aren't that great. But I assure that my paintings can have a huge impact on others because I live in different dimensions with different lifestyles. We all have something in common which is "Knowing Who Am I?" Once you get to this point you'll have tons and tons of questions about yourself which will lead you to the darkest room that you may or may not open. Through my experience I still don't know about myself perfectly… I mean no one will!! But knowing yourself isn't everything… Knowing how to accept and love yourself will make a huge impact in your life and I'm pretty sure that my experiences may once in your lifetime have to step aside from this tragic world and get to a point about finding things you've never expressed it. So through my work one can feel that they are not alone but connected to the most pleasant day that they'll smile again.
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
I don't think I can specifically choose a piece because my works are still in progress(~ing) not knowing whether it would have a remarkable ending or not. But I think one of the many challenges I faced while I started off with this project is facing myself. That was the most difficult thing I had and still having. Knowing About others may be judgmental but it can be a lot easier than you expected compared to knowing about yourself. I still feel miserable, hurtful, and scared facing them. But once I ignore it… I know that I'll regret and there would be a time when more things will overload and choke me to death. So I stopped ignoring them and face it no matter how much I fall off from my place. Sometimes you just don't need to think deep, sometimes you need to just let go of every question marks and excuses you tend to have.
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
Hmm… actually I don't. As I've mentioned, my way of starting painting wasn't an inspiration I got from other artists or artworks. Looking at other artists' works is amazing but at the same time I think looking at their works would make me want to copy their works so I set a boundary not to get connected with other artists fully and be on my own path in this art world where all the arts are speechless.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
At first, all the feedback from critics and audiences had a huge impact on me. Listening to their different ways of explaining my works was so interesting. But as much as I get to listen to them, I had to face a time where I started to paint things that they like. The reason I started was to express myself and to adapt who I am And be satisfied with myself, not them. So, once I put my mind and heart towards that, whatever the critics and audience's feedback seems not that much of a focus to me because art can be described and explained in many ways.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I think I'll say my elder sister has a huge… tremendous impact in words to me whenever I feel lazy to stop painting. She's a typical girl that whatever comes out in her mouth just strikes my head, heart and all the organs that tend to slack and take a break. So usually when I feel unmotivated to setback I always go to her.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
What do I think? I feel quite proud of my hidden and expressed emotions, not myself obviously. They were the only reason I started and led me to this point whereby I could show and share my emotional life story.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I don't have long term goals and aspirations as an artist. I just want to handle my brush and share my emotional life story with me (and others if I have another chances of showcasing to others).