Minyoung Kim's Paintings Capture Cat

Artist Minyoung Kim centers her eccentric paintings on black cats, fascinated by the contrast between their ordinary presence and their weird, aloof nature. She tells This Is Colossal her work aims to be visually inviting at first glance, before revealing odd details that don't quite add up.

The Paradox of the Cat

For Kim, the appeal of cats lies in their paradoxes. They are common in daily life yet remain mysterious and unreadable. She taps into this duality in her art. The black cat, in particular, interests her because it carries heavy cultural baggage, from symbols of bad luck to good fortune.

Over time, the black cat in her work has become less of a subject and more of a tool. Kim says it acts as a good luck charm or a way to inject humor and subtle weirdness into a scene. These feisty pets are rarely passive. They often appear to be plotting something devious with cutlery or simply creating chaos.

A Visual Invitation to the Weird

Kim's paintings are tightly constructed and technically meticulous, but she prioritizes a sense of play. She says humour is huge for her. She wants her work to avoid feeling stiff or overly academic. The magic happens in that tiny moment of confusion when a viewer notices something amiss.

She wants the painting to look visually inviting or polished at first glance, but as you stand there, you start noticing things that don't quite add up-a reflection that's wrong, an odd shape, an absurd gesture. This strategy makes the familiar feel just a little off.

Often, only a fragment of a cat is visible. A paw rendered mid-swipe, claws extending to grip a tablecloth, or a tail curving into frame can completely shift the mood of an otherwise mundane setup. She notes that just dropping a random paw, a single eye, or a curved tail interrupts the room.

Evolving Feline Forms

Kim's portrayal of cats has thoughtfully evolved. In earlier works, cats might appear more realistically or have their faces on fuzzy balls or other critters, as seen in paintings like "Cocktail Party" or "Chopped Melon." She toys with scale and absurd compositions to create her characteristic nuanced, slightly strange elements.

In her most recent paintings, such as "The Shining Net," the feline presence can be more allusive. The pattern of a moth's wings might hint at yellow eyes, while the artist emphasizes other symbolic forms like water droplets and intricate webs. Lately, Kim has been drawing inspiration from European still-life painting, specifically its handling of light, liquids, reflections, and visual illusion.

Kim is currently preparing for a solo booth at Untitled Art, Miami Beach, where she will exhibit with Enari Gallery.