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| ▲This photo, shows artist Kim Chang-wan and his painting. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo shows, Kim Chang-wan and his painting at his solo exhibition in Yonsei Gallery. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL October 05 (Yonhap) -- “I am not sure where I got this from but there is an old saying within the rock genre of music that goes along the line of ‘Anyone can sing.’ art and painting in my option is like sinning, anyone can paint, therefore I did not hesitate to start painting.”
Kim Chang-wan, member of South Korean band Sanulrim and public personal has returned as a painter. Through his first solo exhibition, Kim Chang-wan greet visitors as a painter instead of a singer at Yonsei Gallery in Gangnam district Seoul.
Kim Chang-wan is considered one of the prominent figures within the history of South Korean music. With his younger brother Kim Chang-hoon and Kim Chang-ik, he debuted with their track “Already Now” in 1977. After their debut, the band continued on with their successful career by releasing number of hits such as “Spread Silk On My Heart,” “The Meaning of You,” and more. Starting in 2008, Kim Chang-wan kicked off his solo career as “Kim Chang-wan Band” and started his acting career by appearing in various movies, dramas and more. Although Kim Chang-wan’s art work was featured in one of the collaborative exhibition in January of 2022, this will be his first solo exhibition.
“I have never really learned how to paint, and I am not sure why people like the painting.” Kim Chang-wan described on Wednesday at the exhibition as a painter.
This is not Kim Chang-wan’s first time showcasing his artwork to the public; starting in 1977 Kim Chang-wan used his painting as Sanulrim’s album cover.
“Back then Sanulrim’s albums were like a picture diary for me because I had my songs included within the CD which we used my painting as a jacket image.” adding “Since I was using my drawings as a jacket image, I was brave with brush strokes.” addressed painter Kim Chang-wan during the interview.
It was seven to eight years ago since Kim Chang-wan wanted to paint. By looking at the paintings he enjoyed, artist started to notice his want to paint. Therefore Kim Chang-wan started to paint little by little. Since he was not professionally educated in the field of art he was lost at first because the white blank canvas to him was intimidating.
That is when he thought of an old saying “Anyone can sing.” The quote often times used within the rock genre of music. despite of whether one is good or bad at painting, anyone can paint, by doing therefore he started to paint.
Kim Chang-wan’s paintings are very similar to his music. Just like the way he used his tracks to cheer up those who are struggling through life by producing unconventional tracks, his paintings send out caring message such as “Life is like a scribble, there is not a single life that is broken or torn apart.” or “Life is something that cannot be contained within a comfortable boundaries, they are meant to leave the boundaries and pose challenges to us.” and more to those who visit.
Artist who is known to wear humble clothes, visited his exhibition in a full suit, when he was asked why he wore a suit to his exhibition, he addressed “On the first day of my exhibition, I was here in my casual jumper, however, unexpectedly some of my paintings were sold on the first day of exhibition. I never knew I would get sad like that, I could not sleep that night, I was feeling very lonely. I feel like singing a song represents greeting and meeting, however, painting on the other hand represents good bye. Therefore I decided to dress up for my farewell.”
The exhibition will be held until November 14.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo)
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