KIM JOON


ARTIST BIO & STATEMENT

Kim Joon is a Korean artist known for his striking composite photographs of the human form, often adorned with intricate tattoos and patterns. His fascination with tattoo culture stems from his time in the military, where he tattooed his peers. Through this practice, he examines themes of taboo, image obsession, spirituality, and the aestheticization of the body. Kim views tattooing as a reflection of the complex forces shaping identity—a process of both external influence and personal agency, inscribed on the skin as markers of race, gender, conformity, and dissent.

Using digital software and an extensive archive of imagery, Kim Joon masterfully combines textures, colors, body parts, and Asian motifs to create captivating compositions. His fragmented yet cohesive artworks reveal the tension between opposing elements, challenging societal norms and exploring the boundaries of individual expression. Through his work, he raises profound questions about identity and the contrast between who we are and who we aspire to become.

Kim Joon has exhibited his work internationally in numerous solo exhibitions, including "KIM JOON" at Musee Magnelli in Vallauris, France; "KIM JOON-CRASHING" at Waterfall Gallery in New York, USA; "KIM JOON" at Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Hong Kong; "Somebody" at Park Rue Sook Gallery in Seoul, Korea; "Moutai" at Space Can in Beijing, China; "fragile" at Canvas International Art in Amsterdam, Netherlands; and "Bird Land" at Sabina Lee Gallery in Los Angeles, USA, among many others. His work has also been featured in major international exhibitions such as the "3rd International Digital Art Biennial" at Arsenal Art Contemporain in Montreal, Canada; "Frontiers Reimagined" at Giovanna Damiani in Venice, Italy; "My Blue China" at Manufacture Bernardaud in France; "TATTOO" at Brandts in Denmark; and "The 3rd Jakarta Contemporary Ceramics Biennale" at the Indonesia National Gallery in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Kim digitally applies tattoos to his subjects, incorporating a wide range of intricate designs, from traditional patterns to corporate logos and modern art icons. These tattoos represent the desires of individuals, society, and the era itself—manifesting both consciously and subconsciously. His digitally fabricated porcelain body sculptures further this exploration, portraying human bodies marked with capitalistic symbols and placed on tableware to highlight how consumer culture commodifies human existence.