Born in 1977 in Seoul, South Korea, Tez Kim’s artworks are largely informed by his childhood. By embracing the inherently selective and often unreliable nature of memory, Kim seeks to reimagine the emotional residue of his early experiences. It remains ambiguous whether the saturated colors and grainy, memory-like atmosphere reflect this retrospective reinterpretation or a heightened intensity preserved over time. What ultimately emerges is a vignette that is undefinable and indescribable, pointing to neither a specific event nor a moment of transformation. Instead, his work invites viewers to recall a time when seemingly insignificant details held profound emotional weight and excitement.
Kim received his education at Hongik University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and has since presented his work through exhibitions, international art fairs, and public installations. Through his artwork, he encourages a return to personal freedom and sincerity, urging individuals to embrace their own vivid and truthful ways of being.