Pressed in Blue — Young Kim

Artwork story

About the Artwork

This portrait breaks the face into fragments, distorting familiar features into something tense and unstable. The structure feels forced—compressed within rigid lines—while the expression remains raw and direct.

Rather than presenting identity clearly, the piece shows how it can feel fractured, pressured, and constantly shifting. It sits between control and collapse.

Meet the artist

Young Kim

"I think my art is a journey to explore human nature."

*Gallery artist – Sparrow Gallery, Denison TX, Heron House Gallery, Granbury TX, Galrie Du Nord, Amsterdam

Two artists have profoundly impacted my art: John Singer Sargent and Egon Schiele. Both are portrait artists, yet their styles are remarkably different, shaping the evolution of my own artistic style.

Sargent's incredible use of color and positioning on the canvas captivated me. His portraits are elegant and sophisticated, capturing light and texture beautifully. However, I began to question whether this external elegance truly captured human nature.

In contrast, Schiele’s portraits are more shocking, with darker colors and bolder lines. His style delves into the human psyche, revealing complexities and loneliness. This led me to incorporate more expressive and unconventional elements into my art.

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