Ji Yong Kim is interested in an intersection of traditional images/structures of Buddhist art and images/ icons from contemporary popular culture. Recently, he has been fascinated by how these two seemingly opposite spiritual and cultural forms adopt, merge, and blend into one another. Use of symmetrical designs and patterns, Mandala-esque structure, and gateway or entranceways found in his drawings and paintings often evoke images used for spiritual contemplation.

About Ji Yong Kim: 

Ji Yong Kim was born and raised in South Korea. His works are often inspired from his experience from Myanmar where he spent his adolescent years. His drawings and painting investigate parallel between formal abstraction, Buddhist spirituality, and popular culture. He received his B.F.A. from Rhode Island School of Design, and M.F.A. from Montclair State University in New Jersey. He is currently an instructor of drawing, painting and foundation courses in Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey. He is a resident artist in ChaShaMa located in Brooklyn Army Terminal.