Since childhood, I have been profoundly fascinated by the concept of flight—whether through seeds, leaves, insects, birds, balloons, planes, or even UFOs. My early experiences included hours spent following colorful balloons from the North, which carried political leaflets, and chasing various airborne objects. These formative encounters have significantly shaped my dreams and artistic practice. In my dreams, I often grappled with transparent flying dishes attacking my village or imagined myself navigating the skies. Despite my awareness of lacking wings, I simulated flight with my arms, symbolizing my yearning to transcend physical limitations. This pursuit of transcendence led me to invest considerable effort in establishing my own parameters and interpretations through visual imagery. My artwork emerges from the interplay between memory, imagination, and dreams, effectively dissolving the boundaries between the real and the fantastical. This process enables me to explore and articulate life’s complexities, providing a means of personal reflection and understanding. By navigating the intersection of the familiar and the unfamiliar, my work creates a dialogue between these realms, facilitating a deeper engagement with both. 

Cheolyu Kim, 2024