Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hongbin Kim. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hongbin, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
As an artist, I believe creativity is the most crucial element. To express creative ideas, I set new challenges for myself and experiment with unfamiliar media and techniques. It is essential to break free from fixed patterns and think freely, never stopping the flow of ideas.
There is a saying that investing 10,000 hours in a field can lead to mastery. Similarly, by continuously contemplating the problems or ideas you want to solve, I believe you can develop solutions or results that reflect your unique style.
Additionally, it is important to engage with diverse art and cultures to gain creativity and new inspiration. Living in New York allows me to visit various galleries and museums in Manhattan’s Chelsea, Tribeca, Lower East Side, and other areas. By observing different artworks, I find points of learning and inspiration that I can express in my own unique way. While it’s important not to mimic others, identifying what you can learn from their work and expressing it in your own style can greatly enhance creativity.
The last method I find essential for maintaining creativity is having hobbies. It is important to divide and balance your mental energy and passion between your profession and hobbies to reduce stress and fatigue. If you invest as much passion in a new hobby as you do in your art, you can discover new perspectives and ideas that differ from your usual ones. For me, working with a camera is a hobby. Thanks to photography, I can view my artwork objectively and see new environments, people, and artworks through the lens of the camera, even while working a second job.
I cannot claim that my methods for fostering creativity will work for everyone. Creativity, by definition, is the ability to think of new things. I believe the most important aspect is for each individual to find their unique methods, different from others, to achieve this.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hello, my name is Hongbin Kim. I work under the artist name ‘VANHADA,’ inspired by the Korean verb “반하다,” which means both “to fall in love” and “to oppose.” This dual meaning reflects the dual perspectives I incorporate into my creative process: the pursuit of beauty and the challenge of new things, while also addressing the ambivalent situations individuals face in contemporary society.
My artistic journey focuses on transforming personal experiences and emotions into art. My recent works reflect the challenges and changes I experienced moving from Korea to New York, striving to visually convey emotions and experiences. I particularly express the ‘chaos in New York’ and the ‘anxiety of unsettled life’ by using bold colors to capture the stimuli and stress of this new environment. I explore the essence of dynamic surfaces, maximizing the properties of acrylic paint. The striking and unique expression of paint exploding on the canvas is a distinctive feature of my work.
My artistic goal is to evoke deep emotions and stories that resonate with and inspire many people, going beyond mere visual pleasure. I aim to share my story through various exhibitions and projects, fostering meaningful connections with many people.
I am delighted to announce an exciting opportunity to connect with many people through a two-person exhibition titled “Slice of Watermelon” from July 27 to September 7 at Stephanie Kim Gallery (www.stephaniekimgallery.com). This exhibition features works by myself and Yong Eun (May) Kwon, capturing the bright and vibrant energy of summer. The exhibition is curated by Stephanie Seungmin Kim (PhD, RCA), a curator, gallerist, and writer who has collaborated with over 600 artists worldwide. She focuses on introducing contemporary art and emerging artists to the public, and this approach is well reflected in the “Slice of Watermelon” exhibition. If you are in New York during the exhibition period, please visit!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I believe the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are passion, dedication, and finding one’s unique style.
From a very young age, I loved drawing. I would often fill sheets of paper with my imaginative creations. My mother would always ask me what I was drawing, and I would excitedly explain. As an adult, I discovered that my mother had written down my descriptions of my drawings. Thanks to my mom, looking back at those notes with my wife, I realized how much I truly loved not just creating art but also explaining and sharing it. This reminded me that doing what I love has been the most important aspect of my journey. Over time, I had forgotten how much I loved art because it had become such a natural part of my life. This experience helped me rediscover my passion and reminded me of its importance.
However, simply loving something is not enough to become a professional. There is a clear difference between liking something, being good at it, and being knowledgeable about it. This is where dedication comes in. I spent a lot of time preparing to get into Hongik University, one of the top art schools in Korea. I failed the entrance exam twice but succeeded on my third attempt. During the three years of studying and preparing for the art exams, it was challenging, but it taught me the value of investing time and effort. I eventually earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Fine Art. Wanting to explore a broader world of art, I came to New York. Of course, not everyone needs to follow the same academic path. However, I believe that if you are passionate about something and willing to take on challenges, you must put in the effort to excel at it.
Lastly, finding one’s unique style is crucial. Just as many people can watch the same movie and have different interpretations, artists can use the same materials or themes but express them in various ways. I realized this even more while preparing for the “Slice of Watermelon” exhibition. Although May and I use bright colors, the stories within our works differ, and even with the same theme, completely different pieces emerge. To establish your unique style, you must observe, practice, and experience a lot. By trying various approaches, you will surely find what suits you best.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
In the past 12 months, I have experienced the most significant growth and improvement in my life and work by stepping out of my comfort zone and facing various challenges head-on in New York.
Experiencing both failures and successes in a new environment has greatly enhanced my adaptability and problem-solving skills. Moving from Korea to New York meant leaving a familiar environment and starting anew in an unfamiliar city, which was a major challenge for me. Adapting to a new culture and lifestyle and solving unexpected problems along the way significantly boosted my confidence and independence. Here, I had to find both a home and a studio on my own and search for the necessary materials by visiting various places. There were also small everyday challenges, like taking the wrong subway. Initially, these experiences were very stressful. However, as I became more accustomed to this environment and learned to navigate it, I developed the ability to think more flexibly.
I also learned a lot about networking and human relationships. Studying for my MFA at the School of Visual Arts allowed me to meet a diverse range of people and receive feedback on my work, helping me to view and develop my art from new perspectives. Additionally, meeting new people and interacting with various artists and friends in an unfamiliar environment made me realize that everyone in New York faces their own forms of stress and challenges. This understanding led me to adopt a mindset of enjoying the stimuli and stresses that come with living in New York. I have tried to channel this mindset into my work, adding new elements to my previous projects from Korea, and it feels like I have found my unique style as an artist living in New York.
The experiences I have had in the past 12 months have made my work more mature and positively influenced my creative process. These experiences make me look forward to my future in New York even more. Of course, I still have a lot to improve in terms of social skills and language, but I will continue to grow and develop through new challenges and experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vanhada.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_vanhada_/
Image Credits
Hongbin Kim (All photos were taken by me.)
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