art-culture
Jiyong Kim Group Exhibition 〈Empty, Fill / blank〉
Jiyong Kim Group Exhibition 〈Empty, Fill / blank〉
Jiyong Kim Group Exhibition 〈Empty, Fill / blank〉
A portrait stitched with pins—where wounds once were, identity now grows.
Exhibition Overview
From September 9 to 28, 2025, Schengen Gallery (@schengen.artgallery) in Dongmyeong-dong, Gwangju hosted the group exhibition 〈Empty, Fill / blank〉.
The show brought together three artists—Jiyong Kim (@artist.jiyong), Joyrin (@_joyrin_), and Tansan (@tansan.art)—who each interpreted the themes of repetition and stillness, trace and growth through distinct artistic vocabularies.
Despite their differences in form and medium, their works converge on a shared emotional axis: the accumulation of time, and the layered textures of inner experience.
A Map of the Self, Drawn in Pins
At the heart of Jiyong Kim’s practice lies a meditative ritual: driving thousands of dress pins into a surface, one by one. Each pin stands as a trace of pain—and simultaneously, a tool for healing.
From afar, the works read as singular images. But up close, they dissolve into a constellation of points: fragments of emotion, memory, and self. The quiet repetition becomes almost spiritual, offering a visual record of self-restoration.
“The act of placing each pin is a process of recovering a suppressed self. Healing doesn’t happen all at once—it’s forged in silence, through repetition.”
— From the artist's note
Healing Through the "Filling" Series
Kim’s newest works on view belong to his evolving Filling series, an offshoot of his earlier Make People body of work. Recalling the comfort of childhood moments by the sea, Kim uses broad strokes of paint and wave-like marks to express emotional remnants and emptiness.
Scrapes made with a palette knife, drawn ripples layered on top, and pins slowly filling the gaps—this process doesn’t just build an image; it maps an inner journey of reflection and growth.
A Question for the Viewer
Kim’s work quietly asks:
“Are wounds meant to be covered—or carefully stitched and carried with us?”
Though pins may appear sharp and unforgiving, in his hands they become gentle brushes. Rather than recording pain, Kim chooses to rebuild himself over it—one pin at a time.
In 〈Empty, Fill / blank〉, his work transcends form and becomes something else entirely: a landscape of emotion, a testament to healing, and a new kind of self-portrait.
Exhibition Details
Title: Empty, Fill / blank
Dates: Sept 9 – Sept 28, 2025
Venue: Schengen Gallery, 3F, 72-16 Dongmyeong-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju
Organized by: @schengen.artgallery
Artists: Jiyong Kim @artist.jiyong, Joyrin @_joyrin, Tansan @tansan.art
About YEATU
YEATU is a platform that connects art with finance.
It goes beyond simply appreciating artworks—we invite you to invest in their meaning, and own their value. As we enter an era where art becomes part of everyday life, YEATU offers new ways to engage with it—personally, emotionally, and financially.
Build your portfolio through the power of art. YEATU is where it begins.