By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Artist Kim Jung-ja first fell in love with the lush natural scenery of Gabon, central Africa, when she moved there in the 1970s.
Even after she moved back to Korea a few years ago, Kim could not get Gabon out of her heart and mind. She continues to recreate the tropical jungles, bustling markets and seaside of Gabon through her vibrantly colored paintings.
Kim's works are displayed at her solo exhibition ``My Paradise, My Africa'' at Gallery Jant in Bundang, which runs through Sept. 28.
In an interview with The Korea Times, Kim could hardly contain her excitement when talking about her life in Gabon, which she called ``paradise.''
``I really miss Gabon. I miss the scenery in Africa. I can paint the scenery in Africa forever. I'm not interested in Korean scenery. The scale of nature is small in Korea, but it is huge in Africa. My heart beats faster when I see the trees, fruits, jungles and sea in Africa,'' she said.
Her paintings certainly reflect her love of the African continent. Many of her paintings feature African women wearing wildly patterned dresses, while surrounded by pineapples, bananas, papayas, mangoes and tall trees.
``I like seeing women in nature. I like painting the women in motion. They are always moving, dancing, eating, talking and walking,'' she said.
Kim graduated from the department of fine arts at Hongik University in Seoul. In 1978, she moved to Libreville, Gabon with her husband. She continued to paint, but also started teaching fine arts at College d'Enseignement Evangelique Normal, and later at the Ecole Nationale d'Arts et Manufactures. She has had 16 solo and group exhibitions in Seoul, Jeju, Shanghai and Libreville.
Kim said she feels so inspired by nature in Africa, and she hopes to go back for a visit. ``I really think Africa is beautiful. I love nature in Africa. The African people seem so innocent and pure, and I wanted to express that through my paintings,'' she said.
Kim's ``My Paradise, My Africa'' is the inaugural exhibition for Gallery Jant.
Olivia Ahn, curator of the gallery, said she invited Kim because her paintings reflect a love for life and beauty that is part of the gallery's philosophy.
``These days, there are many artists who are just painting for money. But Gallery Jant aims to present art that capture the essence of life and beauty. We feel that Kim is the right artist to express our gallery's philosophy,'' Ahn told The Korea Times.
While the gallery is far from the traditional art districts in Seoul, Gallery Jant hopes to attract art lovers who are living in the Bundang area. ``There are already many galleries in Insa-dong and Cheongdam-dong. I think the art scene has to be spread in the local areas too. I want Gallery Jant to contribute to the development of the area's cultural scene,'' Ahn said.
To find Gallery Jant, get off at Exit 3 Jeong-ja Subway Station (Bundang line) and walk for 10 minutes. The gallery is located at the second floor of Bundang The # Star Park. Call (031) 783-7931.