Page 3 - 김지언 초대전 2025. 3. 19 – 4. 1 갤러리쌈지안

Kim Ji-yeon’s “C-apple” Exhibition

The Apple Contemplating the Digital Forest

In Kim Ji-eon’sfruit shop, C-appledrifts like a cloud, creating a space rich with meditative aromas. To her, the apple
symbolizes Adam and Eve, the first humans, as in the tale of Eve’s apple. It represents the self, the other, and all of
us. At times, it embodies the poetic essence of spring, while at others, it conveys a connection between daily life
and faith. Through the metaphor of the “apple for wise transformation,” the artist evokes a nurturing, maternal
presence that protects both herself and those around her. The world shaped by these apples seems poised to
transform into a fairy tale at any moment.
Kim Ji-yeon’s “C-apple”exhibition, composed of new works from 2024, is an exploration of embracing change with
the wisdom of an owl, seeking the true identity of the apple along the way. Rooted in contemporary influences
drawn from dance and movement, C-apple (Contemporary Apple)serves as a reflection of modern humanity,
revealing the artist’s personal introspection. Infused with deep faith and a commitment to self-preservation, she
gives life to apples in diverse forms, unfurling a narrative as fluid as the branches of a weeping willow.
Having journeyed through an era of lyrical romance, the artist now finds herself navigating the age of AI, where
familiar things are swept away by an overwhelming tide of rapid transformation. The slow, wistful melodies of
the past are carelessly displaced, leaving her feeling like a lost traveler in an unfamiliar world. This disorientation
led her to reflect on her identity, and the result is the “C-apple”exhibition. The images in her works embody the
continuous human struggle to rediscover oneself amidst the chaos of contemporary life.

Kim Ji-yeon, a painter of Western art, cultivates an altruistic curiosity through the abstract strategies that linger at
the edge of femininity. Even on rainy days, she draws upon the artificial light of clear skies, shielding her emotions
from the whims of the heart. As a free spirit working with unwavering faith, she embraces the rustic beauty of
everyday life, even in the midst of an urban landscape. Her creative aspirations for the apple took root in her
admiration for Bukak (北岳), a sacred mountain in Korea. Her artistic orchard stretches beyond the streams of life,
reaching into the digital forest, where the apple stands as a symbol of the primordial energy of existence.
Even in the most passionate moments, where crimson deepens into purple, Kim Ji-yeon’s journey is accompanied
by the wisdom of a bird. To her, artistic boldness is a form of deep contemplation. “C-apple”unfolds as a battle of
colors, where a rebellion of greens and deep blues is eventually subdued by gold. The exhibition embraces the
five traditional colors of East Asia, with pink ushering in the apples of spring, evoking the joy of a spring outing.
As March arrives, shaking off the last remnants of winter, the artist, alongside her lifelong companions—the
apples—will celebrate a festival of renewal.
The artist weaves together the legend of Cheoyongwith the digital storm of AI, setting forth a discourse on
modern individuals navigating this era. C-applecenters on the figure of a wise apple, observing a world where
the fake thrives while the genuine appears foolish. The exhibition plays with dimensions—horizontal and vertical,
inside and out—creating a dynamic interplay of depth and distance, blending painterly beauty with an air of
mystery. “C-apple”gracefully distills the stories of human existence, summoning the vibrant pulse of the earth
while radiating the warmth of artificial light. Anticipation builds for an exhibition that promises to illuminate the
senses.
Jang Seok-yongCultural Specialist, President of the Korean Association of Art Critics