Kim Ki Ra (b. 1974) graduated from the Department of Painting at Kyungwon University in 2000 and continued his studies in “Working on the Special Project” (Philosophy and media Course) at Kaywon University of Art and Design. In 2003 he received his master’s degree in environmental sculpture from Kyoung-Won University Graduate School and in fine arts from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2006. He has held numerous solo and group exhibitions including “0.000km” at Alternative Space Loop in 2002; and “Standard” at Gallery BODA in 2002; and “Common Good_Climb Every Mountain!” at DOOSAN Gallery in 2012, raising questions about collective social agreement. Kim was selected for artist-in-residence programs including MMCA Residency Changdong in 2007 and Transfer Korea-NRW project in Germany in 2012. He is the recipient of the Young Artist of Today by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2009 and a nominee for Korea Artist Prize from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, MMCA in 2015.
Kim Ki Ra has actively explored the relationship between art and society across all genres from painting to sculpture, video to installation. Kim has taken interest in subjects related to power structures and values of a capitalist society, as well as the diverse aspects derived from them. Furthermore, he has stood strong against serious issues of society such as the contradiction of the division of Korea. “My projects present the current status of humans living in this capitalist society in a humorous manner―whether they are phenomenon or paranoid ordinary people,” says Kim. Thus, beyond the limits of genre and medium, he has explored today’s various complicated matters and themes―the conflict between liberals and conservatives; management and labor; and other disagreements and clashes of ideologies―suggesting a new perspective to view these issues. In the face of hostility and conflict surrounding individuals and groups, Kim interprets human prejudice and desire. He highlights points that we might easily miss and reminds us to call forth what should be remembered by approaching an issue metaphorically rather than intervening or making suggestions about the causes for the present day situation.
