Contained
Original artwork

Contained

Young Kim
$350.00
Date created
Jan 15, 2026
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
12 × 12 × 1.5 in
Framing
Unframed
Artwork story

About the Artwork

One day, while searching for photos of houseplants, I came across a small potted plant with unusually long leaves stretching strongly to the side. As if it somehow knew another direction, its wide, heavy leaves extended confidently outward. As the title Contained suggests, the plant is not rooted in real ground, but grows inside a small pot—contained within it. Human life is similar: we live within the limited environment given to us, and that becomes our world, our universe. Yet I believe what makes us human is that even while growing within that confined frame, we still dream beyond it—toward what lies outside.
Meet the artist
Young Kim

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.