Kim Nampyo creates realistic yet fantastical artworks. He has presented works featuring tigers emerging from the sea and zebras appearing in front of the Independence Gate, showcasing his imaginative compositions. In recent years, he has focused on realistic landscape works that prioritize on-site experiences, depicting the seas of Jeju and the Himalayan Everest mountain.
Kim Nampyo graduated from the Department of Western Painting at Seoul National University's College of Fine Arts with a B.F.A. He later received his M.F.A. from the graduate school. He has participated in over 20 solo exhibitions and more than 60 group exhibitions domestically and internationally, including "Drawing Jeju Island" (Gyoboa Art Space, 2022), "Instant Landscape – Goosebumps" (Gana Art Center, 2017), "Instant Landscape" (Gana Art New York, 2009), and "Instant Landscape" (Gallery Hyundai - Window Gallery, 2007). He has also participated in international art fairs such as Abu Dhabi (UAE), Art Central (Hong Kong), and KIAF (Seoul). He has won the Grand Prize at the National University Art Exhibition and the Gold Prize at the Creative Arts Association competition in South Korea. His works are held in collections at institutions such as the Seoul Museum of Art, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, the Seongnam Cultural Foundation, and the Suwon Art Museum.

PM5 #2 by Kim Nampyo is a masterful exploration of destruction and fragmentation, weaving a vivid tapestry of multi-layered themes. Rooted in Nampyo's penchant for realistic yet fantastical compositions, the artwork employs the concept of a hole as a powerful metaphor for the temporary and transient nature of solidity. It adeptly shatters the illusion of wholeness, poking holes into our understanding of continuity.In PM5 #2, Nampyo skillfully plays with disembodied fragments, injecting an element of chaos into the pristine canvas. The fragmented bodies and disoriented structures disrupt the static nature of the two-dimensional plane, bringing the piece to life in an eruption of raw, unmitigated dynamism. This piercing commentary on the destruction of solidity is a daring deviation from his recognizable landscapes.The scattered fragments reference Nampyo's earlier works, reminiscent of the tigers emerging from the sea or zebras appearing against historic landmarks. Despite the stark departure in subject matter, PM5 #2 carries Nampyo's signature undertones of a surreal alternate reality. This intriguing conceptualization is a testament to the artist's remarkable ability to tread the delicate line between reality and fantasy. PM5 #2, with its mesmerizing deconstruction, presents yet another facet of Nampyo's boundless creative expression, reaffirming his standing as a leading figure in contemporary art. It brilliantly exemplifies what has made Kim Nampyo's works earn a place in prestigious institutions and collections worldwide.

Obscura is a Seoul-based art gallery that first founded in 2015, then as SPACE IKKI, located in Seoungbuk-dong area. The name of the gallery derives from the Latin phrase camera obscura, meaning “dark room,” which refers to the first optical device used as a painting-aid, whereby an image is projected through a hole onto its opposite wall in a darkened room. 
​Obscura aims to make contemporary art accessible to a wide range of audience and provide various artistic and cultural contexts for interdisciplinary efforts, by emphasizing performative elements of curatorial practice and exhibition making. With keen eyes on sophisticated work by artists with solid and idiosyncratic practice, Obscura has been supporting and promoting contemporary artists in the fields of painting, installation, photography and new media.

Obscura

PM5 #2

Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#1 is a mesmerizing artwork by the talented artist Kim Nampyo. This piece is a sublime fusion of realism and dream-like wonder. Kim, in Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#1, he beautifully captures the stunning Aewol seascape of Korea's majestic Jeju Island. Through layered brushwork that exemplifies the Expressionism style, the artist invites viewers to explore a tangible yet fantastical interpretation of the landscape.The title - Instant Landscape aptly encapsulates what Kim confirms - an instantaneous impression of the landscape, combining his first-hand experiences and imaginative compositions. The Aewol Sea, renowned for its beautiful coastline and clear waters, is portrayed as ever-changing and ethereal under Kim's skilled touch, creating a sense of awe and serenity. In Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#1, he not only shares the breathtaking scenery of Jeju but also prompts contemplation of the delicate balance between natural beauty and the ever-changing landscapes that surround us.Through his extensive acceptance and recognition in numerous exhibitions and awards, Kim Nampyo continues to impress the global art community with his captivating work, and Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#1 is no exception. This piece is sure to enthrall any lover of fine art, and adds a compelling dimension to any collection.

Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#1

Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#2 is a mesmerizing artwork by the talented artist Kim Nampyo. Drawing from his comprehensive foundational training from Seoul National University's College of Fine Arts and his extensive exhibition experience, this piece is a sublime fusion of realism and dream-like wonder. Kim, in Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#2, he beautifully captures the stunning Aewol seascape of Korea's majestic Jeju Island. Through layered brushwork that exemplifies the Expressionism style, the artist invites viewers to explore a tangible yet fantastical interpretation of the landscape. The title - Instant Landscape aptly encapsulates what Kim confirms - an instantaneous impression of the landscape, combining his first-hand experiences and imaginative compositions. The Aewol Sea, renowned for its beautiful coastline and clear waters, is portrayed as ever-changing and ethereal under Kim's skilled touch, creating a sense of awe and serenity. In Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#1, he not only shares the breathtaking scenery of Jeju but also prompts contemplation of the delicate balance between natural beauty and the ever-changing landscapes that surround us. Through his extensive acceptance and recognition in numerous exhibitions and awards, Kim Nampyo continues to impress the global art community with his captivating work, and Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#2 is no exception. This piece is sure to enthrall any lover of fine art, and adds a compelling dimension to any collection.

Instant Landscape - Aewol Sea(s)#2

PM5 #1 is an exceptional artwork by the accomplished artist Kim Nampyo. Using his distinct realistic yet fantastical style, the artist intricately explores the themes of body, fragments, abstract, and sexuality in this unique ensemble.Derived from his abundant experience with on-site landscapes and life forms, PM5 #1 is a poetic manifestation of Kim's remarkable ability to bring together diverse elements in a single exhaustive piece. His unparalleled ability to bridge the realms of the vividly real and the imaginatively abstract are significantly evident in this artwork.Focusing on the themes of body and sexuality, Kim challenges societal norms and expectations. He plays with our perception of form and matter, his strategic fragmentation serving as a thought-provoking metaphor for self-exploration and identity. Each fragment cleverly amalgamates to form a whole, an abstract representation of the human body, highlighting the complexities and nuances of our physical existence.Kim Nampyo's PM5 #1, coming from an artist known for his imaginative compositions of landscapes and wildlife, serves as an intriguing glance into the world of abstract human sexuality. Like his many successful exhibitions and recognition worldwide, this artwork too seems ready to resonate with viewers on a unique and personal level. The artwork provides viewers with an exciting opportunity to see Kim Nampyo's unique take on the abstract and familiar, representative of his expansive artistic abilities and profound intellect. 

PM5 #1

PM5 #6, a riveting addition to Kim Nampyo's portfolio, beautifully captures his tendency towards blending the realms of reality and fantasy. Echoing the influences of his past works featuring animals in incongruous settings, PM5 #6 conveys a fascinating narrative, almost as stirring as a tiger emerging from the sea or a zebra standing before the Independence Gate.  In this piece, Nampyo deftly references the iconic image of David's Napoleon, marking an undeniable overlay of historical and artistic symbolism. The intricate choice of subject matter becomes a thought-provoking commentary on derived power, sparking conversations around socio-political hierarchies and their enduring impact.  Moreover, this artwork subtly engages with themes of sexuality and perhaps even a touch of sadism, an unconventional approach that has viewers reevaluating conventional themes in art. In PM5 #6, Nampyo's exceptional talent for reimagining and recontextualizing familiar concepts manifests itself impressively, challenging traditional perspectives to create an immersive, individualistic aesthetic experience.  While each epiphany within PM5 #6 caters uniquely to different viewers, the artwork collectively underscores Kim Nampyo's commitment to provoking dialogue, reframing narratives, and ultimately, reshaping the contemporary art landscape. This piece is a testament to the artist's masterful capacity to immortalize fleeting thoughts and emotions onto canvas, further establishing him as an influential figure within the global art sphere.

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