"If I define Korean economy growth advancing speed as plus 10, Internet growth advances speed will be plus 100 and art education growth retreating speed can be defined as minus 100." This is what Alvin Toffler stated. However, in Korea, here is an artist who advances forward seeking individuality in her own way. Her name is Mari-Kim.

♡ "Under uniformed art education in Korea, drawing individual art is difficult." 
    The meaning of Korean art education growth retreating speed, which is minus 100, is changeless: stagnation. No matter how wonderful their products are, they resemble each other to such a degree. And they estimate the worth based on a standard that they learned. So, it is difficult to make individual products in Korea, under uniformed art education system. Who is the representing artist in Korea? You might want to say, 'Nam-june Paik.' However, Nam-june Paik who is famous in video art studied in Germany and also expressed as a German emotion. If he worked in Korea, his success might be difficult to achieve. Now, Korean art is suffering stagnation. Therefore, if they see my picture, clearly they might say "What are these? The rate of body and head is mess. Moreover, eyes are too big." However, I am drawing on my way. I have chosen Korea as a middle step and in future, I would like to perform in America or England. I want to be admitted in the world.

♡ "Pop-surrealism, made in Mari-Kim"
    Most young Korean artists tend to do Pop-Art. However, many products mimic only Andrew Warhol's and Roy Lichtenstein's art. This pop art genre was popular in other countries about 50~100 years ago, but in Korea it is a current leading art genre. This shows that Korea's art is in serious sluggish status. Of course I like pop, so my products include ingredients of pop. However, they integrate with surrealism which has vagueness, for example of time, space, age and gender etc. So, I call my products' genre 'Pop-surrealism.' The first time when I made this title, there were no responses. But my products have become gradually known, so 'Pop-surrealism' is a little familiar today.

♡ "Open personality about culture and my art"
    I was infatuated with Western civilization since I was young. I was interested in them more than Korean movies, singers, and even culture. And I liked to draw pictures, but my parents objected against me. Then at 21 years old, I went to Australia for English study. There were many chances to accumulate the experiences of a western civilization and I enjoyed them. I wanted to stay in Australia more, so I entered RMIT University for drawing which I wanted. Finally I got a bachelor's degree in Multimedia, and a masters degree in Animation during a period of 10 years. I have an open personality about culture and human relationship. So I could draw along my way and not uniformed art education, but in a broad free atmosphere. And more, personal taste is reflected in my products. I like cult and horror movies because they rise against expectation and the reversal is very fun to me. So I draw a young and pretty girl who has cynical and vicious features. And then I draw a weak male and tenacious female who care for men in the 'sugar candy series.' I expressed that these male characters are animals. And I like to suggest some evidences and leave space for the imagination of the audience rather than to describe a situation in detail within the picture. This was done not intentionally, though, but my inspiration about how I felt on my life, and people whom I met whilst in Australia made it possible.

♡ Sensation and frighten? This is just a genre of art" 
    Some people said that my art was sensational and frightening. But in the case of movie there are the horror genre and melo dramatic genre. Maybe the horror movie maker liked and fitted the horror genre, so that he could shoot such pictures. Likewise I like the cult movie and reversal, so I draw them. And a naked picture is common in art. Also my art act is included in the art, so I don't think that my products are sensational and strange. I want to admit my products as art.

♡ "Character? No, my products are paintings."
    Making them might be a reason for selling such as in characters like KITTY and PUCCA. However, painting is a piece of picture. Koreans think only a scenery or a still life is painting art. So, most Koreans who see my products say "Your products are characters!" However I drew them owing to my own pleasure. Of course, my products could be used for commercial purposes. The reason that an artist open the exhibition is to sell. Selling their products means that their products are admitted by others, and more close to the appeal of the masses. Also, the income invests in other work that they want. However, certainly I didn't draw only to have the purpose of selling, but for my own enjoyment. And I want to deliver some message and feeling through my products. Established art authority still makes light of my products by calling them 'character.' However, my products are obviously painting art.

♡ "It is not important who the teacher is. More important things are trusting yourself, and trying hard" 
    To be an artist, many people think that it surely must involve major art. However, the most important thing is having faith in yourself. It is a second problem in respect of what kind of learning and help I receive. Discovery and belief in my own ability will add much practice to my drawing. Then they can be proficient and have a sense of their own. I believe that I was born to be here as an artist. I do not care about income, or whether to be famous or not; I constantly draw pictures until my life meets its end.  

By  Kim Ah-hyun CP Reporter
dynady@naver.com