I'm Kim Gil Hu

*Driven to an extreme situation

 I often have this desire to know up to what extent a human being can endure and what he will be when he reaches the limit. It may probably seem strange to others, though. In the past several years, I would sleep for two to three hours a day, make reckless decisions and do eccentric things. In those years, I plunged myself over the cliff of fate. Believing that I could pursue new things only when I was not able to see anything, I burned down the 16,000 paintings I had created before 1999. 

*Turning black wounds into tears

 The Black Tears continuous work, which was created between 2001 and 2004, is a painting that I like the most. Black came into the world when my heart was just like some broken-down ruins and my sense of loss pressed down on me like lead. At the exhibition of the Black Tears continuous work, someone who had been viewing the work said, "I had been thinking of killing myself, but as I gaze at your work, I see that the man in the picture leads a more troubled life than mine. So, now I think I can hope again." My painting sheds a gleam of light in the dark. Perhaps, sadness can be cured with the help of greater sadness. I have come to know that many people are miserable even while living in highly developed peaceful civilizations.

 Whenever I work, I never plan on portraying anything as I just paint a sheet of paper with Chinese ink or acrylic and simply let creativity take over. I make quick brush strokes in order to express what is stored in my subconscious before the pigments on the canvas dry out, as if I was floundering about in the darkness. I form shapes so that what I have carved out with a nail or chisel may not be spoiled. What is painted before the pigments dry out is totally different from what is painted after they dry out. After they dry out, the marks of a sharp knife or something will remain. Most of my pigments are made of acrylic mixed with metal powder or pearl. The pigments imply that modem people living in a cold structure (indicated by metal) walk up and down disquietingly in gray cities, but they still have a bright hope (pearl).

*A high-grade player staying in a remote region

 I am a high-grade player staying in a remote region and expecting one day when I will be able to have dominion over the midlands where many high graders crowd about. I want to be a legend while I am still living on this earth.

*My beautiful studio

 I am most afraid of leaving my studio, of my enthusiasm becoming cold. As a fish cannot leave the water and a brush cannot be separated from an ink-stick, so I cannot be parted from my studio. The studio is my life. There is nothing on earth from which I can derive pleasure, except for drawing pictures. I h no interest in any other thing except painting. I would rather give up any other chance of having fun than stop drawing pictures. All my passion is in painting pictures, in creating images, of which I have a dream to surely make come true. It is ridiculous for me to get what I want while doing anything and everything I desire. If there is one thing I seriously, deeply wish for, I shall put all my energy into achieving that single thing. My wife considers me a Korean of great volition, as I have walked in only one way in the last 15 years. My dream is to attain the Museum of Modern Art. Although the dream may result in frustration, I am sure I am destined to continue painting pictures with no definite goal and hope. 1 like the very act painting itself. My performance must continue even if there is only one spectator or even if no one is there to appreciate my artistic works.

*Paper

 Paper is the most appropriate material through which my emotions can be communicated. Like a cat, I like scratching papers. After paper is mauled, a scratch of emotions is left alive and open. The paper's appearance depends on what I clothe it with. Paper is like a sponge, or sometimes, steel. When painting a picture, I have nothing to do with the light, if it is lit or not.

 I do not start painting a picture after I am inspired to do so. The moment I draw a line, a momentary inspiration comes through my mind. I like the artist named Picasso. He drew pictures with such inspiration glistening like the blade of a knife. I have a habit of drawing pictures with my fingers. Consequently, my emotions are left intact even after the forms of my inspirations are washed away by, so to speak, running water.

*Seeking for a rainbow

 Many people believe that happiness lies in a house under a warm roof or in the bosom of family. However, I am still sure that a rainbow is arcing over the mountain top in front of my house. I am still indifferent to my family members and neighbors on the pretext that I am a painter. Am I a selfish human being who cannot lead an altruistic life. I do not know well what my ever-boiling energy comes from. Anyhow, when the sun sets, I will go and again and again climb the mountain, eamestly searching for the proverbial rainbow.