Kim Ok Massey
Artist's Statement Biography and Resume Contact Links
When I was a college student in Korea our professor advised us that the artist is painting not for head but for the heart. Before becoming an artist you must have developed your own person and humanity. I keep remind it what he said. The Artist is responsible for their work, what is say to the world.
My background is a mix of oriental and western culture. My own country has a very long history and strong culture. But after the Korean War we adopted many western cultural ideas. So my work is a mixture between cultures. My brush stroke and negative space is derived from oriental painting and calligraphic art. My composition arrangement and use of depth, texture, and material developed from western art. Art like life is not just about reaching your goal, but more important is the joy of the journey. Before I start painting, I prepare for that one subject for a long time, especially for a bigger series of work. My whole being is focused on it, from the initial conception or inspiration that becomes the subject, to the conclusion of the work. Nothing else exists for that time but art, it fills my head, and it consumes my thoughts. It is finished, as much as possible, in my mined before I every touch brush to canvas. With each brush stroke I have to put in my philosophy and personality and spirit Also I like to express strong contrast and activity with a heavy brush stroke.
When I hold brush and ink I catch the smell of ancient
times through hometown memories. When I smell the odor of oil colors, I recall
the dream of a far off world. I had often thought myself a blessed person. I
have had variety of experiences and memories. I was born is small city but one
grandfather lived the country and another grandfather lived on the mountainside.
When I make a sculpture, I feel much of the idea comes from childhood memories
of my grandfathers working around the mountain. I would spend my whole vacation
there in play and unconscious observation. But now I begin to study and to work
for the journey from the past to the present and future, to transcend above the
world and put it on canvas, to compress, to express world, to also artist has a
special responsibility! We have no rule but a responsibility to the world, to
brighten and to edify. The artist’s duty is searching for and deriving the inner
essence of the object to reveal it above the materials of art. Furthermore, Also
artist’s a responsibility to the world, to brighten and to edify, and must be a
prophet, searching for meaning of subject over or through reality. The artist’s
duty is searching for and deriving the inner essence of the object to reveal it
above the materials of art, and interpret the main events of their lifetime, to
bring revelation with profundity and insight and with prophetical ability, to
see through the meaning of all transition
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Education
1982 – 1986 Chugye School of Art Seoul, Korea Major in Painting B.F.A. Degree
1994 – 1995 Oakton College, Des Plaines, Ill Study of ceramic and sculpture
1996 – 1999 William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, Ill. Study of sculpture in metal
and wood
2000 – 2001 Elgin Community College, Elgin, Ill Study of print making
2002 NIU (Northern Illinois University) Study MFA Student in Large
Solo Exhibition
1997 Kim Massey Solo Show, Foster Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
2001 Kim Massey Solo Show, Manufacture Bank Gallery, Chicago, IL
2002 Solo Show, Foster Cultural Center, Chicago IL
2003 Juried Art Solo Show Unitarian Church in Evanston IL
2004 Juried art Solo Show Garland Gallery in Barrington IL
Awards
1996 William Rainey Harper College Student Exhibition Scholarship Award
2000 Elgin College Hub Mural Painting Award
2001 Award of Excellence – 10th Skyway Juried Exhibition, Elgin Community College,
Elgin, Ill
2001 2nd Place Phi Theta Kappa Art Extravaganza, ECC Elgin IL
2003 Best in show BAAC, Gallery
2005 2nd Place Fra Angelico Foundation
2006 3rd Place Fra Angelico Foundation
Special Experience
March 25, 2002 Chicago Public High School Art Contest Judge
2001 Suite Home Chicago, Outdoor Furniture Sculpture Exhibition,
Sponsored by Oprah Winfrey Harpo Studio, Chicago, Ill
Public Display
William Rainey Harper College : sculpture
Korean American Broad casting
Elgin College : Mural painting
Juried Art Shows
1994 4th Annual Skyway Juried Exhibition Oakton College, Des Plaines, Illinois
1995 5th Annual Skyway Juried Exhibition Oakton College, Des Plaines, Illinois
1996 William Rainey Harper College Liberal Arts Division Student Exhibition
1997 Point of View, William Rainey College Liberal Arts Division Student Exhibition
2000 Drawing Illinois Watercolor 13th Biennial Exhibition
2000 Christopher Art Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2001 Phi Theta Kappa Art Extravaganza, Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois
2001 10th Annual Skyway juried Exhibition, Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois
2001 National juried Union Street Gallery “Barking Dogma” Chicago Illinois Exhibition
2002 National juried Bloomingdale Park district Museum Bloomingdale, IL
2003 National Juried BAAC Gallery Barrington IL
2003 Vincinity 2003 Norris Gallery , St, Charls, IL
2004 13 th National art competition Fra Angelico Art foundation Chicago IL
2004 14th Midwest winter, Center for visual arts, WI
2004 Water color USA The City of Springfield Art Museum
2005 14th Fra Angelico Foundation Chicago IL
2005 Polish Art museum Chicago IL
2006 15th Fra Angelic Foundation Chicago IL
Group Exhibitions
1995 Figure Drawing League, Noyes Cultural Center, Evanston, Ill
1995 Chicago Korean Artist Association Show, Gallery 7000, Chicago, Ill
1995 1st Hallelujah Christian Art Association Show, Foster Cultural Center, Chicago, Ill
1996—9 2nd_ 5th Hallelujah Christian Art Association Show, Foster Cultural Center, Chicago, Ill
1997 Chicago Korean Artist Association Show, Gallery 7000, Chicago, Ill
2001Chicago Artist Coalition, The Chicago Art Open for Professional Artists, Chicago,
2002 Chicago Artist Coalition, The Chicago Art Open for Professional artist, Chicago Ill
2004 Chicago Artist Coalition, The Chicago Art Open for Professional artist, Chicago Ill
Gallery
2002 Gallery of Door County WI
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Contact Information
Kim C. Massey
(847) 622-8519