"Forget Your Age" ... Dye Craft Artist Approaching 70 Holds First Solo Exhibition for Second Act of Life

Kim Gyuri Solo Exhibition, 36 Works Displayed at Dongmyeong University Dongmyeong Gallery from 2nd to 8th

"Dyeing, Drying, and Working on One Piece for Months... Want to Help Struggling Students"

Artist Kim Gyuri.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The artist is 68 years old. At first glance, it is difficult to guess her age.

This woman, who spent her youth as a jewelry designer and has been running a nursing hospital for the past 20 years, started learning pottery in her mid-50s.

Now, she meets the world as a dyeing craft artist. Mentioning or guessing the age of this ‘lady’ who is living her second act of life with boiling energy was nonsense from the start.

Looking at how she has swept awards at the Korea Art Exhibition in recent years, it makes the younger generation who push youth by age feel uneasy.

This is the story of artist Kim Gyuri, who has been engaged in dyeing crafts for six years this year and has been winning various awards for over three years since she started learning.

Looking at the last three years alone, awards such as special selection, special prize, encouragement, honorable mention, excellence, and grand prize flash by like a revolving lantern.

These are the results from the Korea Academy, Korea Love of Country Art Exhibition, Silla Art Exhibition, Seongsan Art Exhibition, Jeongsu Art Exhibition, Busan Art Exhibition, and Korea Art Exhibition.

Kim Gyuri, a dyeing craft artist active in the Korea Academy Art Association, is holding a solo exhibition at Dongmyung University Architecture Design Hall Dongmyung Gallery.

As a Dongmyung University invitational exhibition, from December 2 to 8 for one week, she will present 36 dyeing craft works expressing ‘nature’ such as ▲My House ▲Queen of the Night ▲Receive My Energy.

The opening reception invitation is at 4 p.m. on the 2nd. Meetings with the artist will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the 4th, 6th, and 8th.

Work by Kim Gyuri, a dyed craft artist.

Cheon Kyung-ja, a master of dyeing crafts living in Busan, defined artist Kim Gyuri.

“She captures the beauty of nature and presents beautiful and subtle colors using various techniques in a feast of diverse colors.”

The master also praised, “Although she wanted to learn painting since childhood, she could not due to circumstances, but she seems to express the joy of ‘wish fulfillment’ through her works. As an artist, she has exceptional will, drive, creativity, and a keen sense of color harmony.”

“I support Kim Gyuri, who is living her second life as an artist,” she did not forget to praise her disciple artist.

Jeon Ho-hwan, president of Dongmyung University, said, “The 21st century is the era of culture and arts, and it is necessary to establish a beautiful place for traditional crafts in daily life. Through the invitational exhibition of dyeing craft artist Kim Gyuri, traditional crafts will grow and develop not only in Busan and Seoul but also globally.”

Dyeing craft is also different from ordinary painting. After touching one part, you have to wait and wait until the dye dries. The artist said it takes several months to create one large work.

Kim said, “Since it is my first solo exhibition, I prepared the works without any spare time,” and laughed, “After the exhibition, I plan to donate part of the proceeds from the sale of works to students in need or neighbors.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.