Page 34 - 김예령 초대전 2023. 12. 18 – 12. 24 금보성아트센터

Tree of Dreams and Hopes, by Author Kim Ye-Ryeong
Written by: Lee Chul-Kyu (Professor, Department of Fine Arts, Yewon Arts University Graduate School)

In Kim Ye-Ryeong's arboreal and sylvan landscapes, love and vitality abound. The trees are adorned with soft, rustling breezes, and the birds
gracefully cavort among them. Rooted steadfastly in their place, they quietly flourish through the seasons, breathing life into nature without
protest. They grow in silence, indifferent to distinctions of favorable or unfavorable locales, providing solace to anyone who draws near, steadfast
and unmoving unless compelled. They unwaveringly thrive in their designated abode.

These trees amalgamate to form a forest. Within this forest, humanity transforms into one cohesive family, soaring through the heavens,
singing the enigmas of love and life. Over the eons, generations, and centuries, the ancient trees in this woodland bear witness to transition and
metamorphosis. This forest, teeming with myriad life forms, opens its arms without constraints to all, even those weary of the clamor of urban
existence. It welcomes them into its embrace, offering a haven for reprieve and contemplation, regardless of the season.

Kim Ye-Ryeong's woods and trees forge an alternative realm where humanity and nature coexist. It resembles our living environment but
occupies a different plane of existence. It appears tranquil and seemingly disorganized, yet it upholds its own inherent order. It possesses
rationale, tenacity, and a distinctive liberty teeming with vitality. When you encounter the trees and the forest, you reconnect with the essence
of life, the cyclic dance of Earth's four seasons, and an everlasting sanctuary for humankind, a place to return to.

In the beginning, at the epicenter of divine creation, lay the pinnacle of woodlands known as Eden, symbolizing an ecologically harmonious state.
In Genesis, God placed humanity in the eastern reaches of Eden, where resplendent trees bearing an assortment of fruits thrived. Humanity was
entrusted with the initial mission to nurture and safeguard the Garden of Eden, becoming stewards of this forest. Ultimately, through the trees
and the forest, humans learn the truths of love and life by forming connections with avian creatures, blossoms, and nature.

In this fashion, Kim Ye-Ryeong's forests and trees embody a refuge for rejuvenation, a locale to seek love and vitality, and the Tree of Life,
symbolizing cosmic redemption and eternal existence. The fruit of the Tree of Life, rooted by the banks of the River of Life, imparts eternal
existence when a new heaven and a new earth take shape, and its leaves serve as a healing balm for all of humanity.

Kim Ye-Ryeong's oeuvre aspires to rekindle people's emotions and advocate a rekindling of our lives. She articulates, "Methodologically, I've
fused the minutiae of my daily life to fashion a work resembling an individual entity." Consequently, her Life Tree creations epitomize pivotal
moments in time, inspired by her wholesome and joyful childhood memories and the cherished milestones of her children's growth during that
period.

Throughout this artistic journey, the creator's work radiates a tender, tranquil, and contemplative ambiance. Her choice of colors does not
adhere to reality but rather flows from her consciousness and emotions, resulting in a distinctive palette. The sky peering through the branches
gains added splendor with its diverse and surreal hues.

The Life Trees featured in her works epitomize an unequivocal presence that gently draws near with the wind, lightly caressing one's cheek,
symbolizing an existence transcending the human realm, accompanying the act of creation, a fount of joy and happiness, and at times, even
enduring hardship over the years.

As we admire Kim Ye-Ryeong's artwork, let us collectively wish that universal dreams, hopes, and aspirations rekindle in our hearts once more.

December 2023.