From wispy clouds to adorable ducklings, the work of South Korean artist Mihyun Kim exudes softness. Blurred edges and snapshot imagery blend memory and dreams, blanketing the viewer with a comfortable sense of nostalgia. Mihyun received her MFA in painting from Hongik University. Despite her short career, Mihyun has already participated in numerous exhibitions in Seoul, and her work has also been featured in the Saatchi Art Catalog. Practice the art of remembering with the One to Watch.
My work is based on realistic oil painting, but it is structured through narrative and symbolic compositions. I explore overlooked moments from everyday life, as well as a reinterpretation of the Cinderella narrative—where the character moves beyond a predetermined fate.
More recently, I have introduced a duck character called “Ducky,” which allows me to explore deeper and more essential inner emotions. Although the duck may appear small and insignificant, it gently shifts the direction of each story, guiding it toward warmth and hope. Through this presence, I hope to convey a sense of quiet comfort and emotional resonance to viewers. My paintings are not simply representations, but spaces where events, memories, and their afterimages coexist, offering a moment of reflection.
Are there particular themes or ideas you’re drawn to in your work?
My work focuses on the phenomenon of “pyknolepsy,” in which experiences are rapidly consumed and forgotten in contemporary society. I am interested in visualizing the afterimages of lost or overlooked moments. Pyknolepsy can be described as the way images are perceived, not as fixed objects, but as continuous flows—like looking out of a fast-moving train window, where everything blends into a stream of impressions.
While my earlier works dealt with heavier themes, I gradually began to reinterpret them through more hopeful, narrative structures. This led to the development of series such as Cinderella and Time Traveler. In particular, the Cinderella series begins from the perspective of socially marginalized individuals, and the presence of the duck subtly intervenes to prevent the story from ending in tragedy. Through my work, I hope to become a small light within the overlooked and often unseen aspects of everyday life, leaving a sense of hope in the viewer.
What is your process for turning an idea into a finished painting?
My work develops through gradual storytelling. Once a narrative is formed, I establish visual references by combining and transforming real photographic sources. In the painting process, I focus on realistic color and delicate blending to create soft textures, allowing the image to feel realistic even without extreme hyperrealism. I also incorporate elements such as film-like scratches to evoke memory and the passage of time. The process is slow and layered, allowing the image to emerge naturally over time.
I usually begin with an overall underpainting and then move into detailed finishing. There is a moment when the softness of the brushwork, the balance of the composition, and the overall atmosphere come together. When I feel that the painting has reached that balance, I stop.
At first glance, my work may appear beautiful, soft, or even playful. However, I hope that beyond that surface, it allows viewers to recall overlooked moments from their own lives. I hope my paintings create a quiet space for reflection, where forgotten emotions and memories gently resurface.
Is there anything our collectors should be on the lookout for coming soon?
I have two solo exhibitions planned this year. For the exhibition starting in May, I am currently working on pieces that will form the climax of the Cinderella series. In August, I will present a new series focused on inner journeys through the character Ducky, which will be introduced through art fairs and group exhibitions. After the May exhibition, selected works from the Cinderella series will also become available on Saatchi Art, along with new works from both the Cinderella and Ducky series.
If your work had a soundtrack, what would it sound like?
I prefer working in silence, so I don’t have a specific soundtrack. The natural white noise of everyday life becomes my background—subtle, constant, and unobtrusive, allowing me to fully focus and enter a quiet, contemplative state while painting.
Do you have a favorite piece of your own work? Why?
My Duck, You Have Wings! is one of the most meaningful works to me. It portrays a duck flying for the first time, symbolizing the moment of overcoming inherent limitations. The piece carries a sense of courage and leaves a lasting emotional resonance.
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