Art Whino announces the opening of the new Art Whino Gallery at SW, with Vivid Visions: The Art of Kim Jung Gi, the first United States solo exhibition of the Korean illustrator, cartoonist, and animator. Art Whino Gallery is the premier presenter of this major artist’s work in the United States. The new gallery will open within the Blind Whino Arts Club and event space at 700 Delaware Ave. SW, Washington, DC.

Kim Jung Gi (KJG) is an established artist from South Korea, whose stunning work has attracted the international attention of millions of fans over recent years. He has the keen ability to visualize his drawings before making any marks, relying on mental images only, using no sketches, nor references to photographs when drawing. Gi illustrates what he sees, working from an absolute photographic memory, creating astounding perspective in his large-scale images, often with a “fish-eye” view. Using ballpoint or black felt pens as his tools of choice, he challenges himself to ‘speed sketch’ images and scenes as quickly as possible, making for mesmerizing time-lapse videos of his drawing process.

“Kim Jung Gi is simply fascinating to watch, and he’s working in a way that no other contemporary illustration-based artist is doing these days,” describes Shane Pomajambo, Art Whino gallery founder and curator. “When I had the opportunity to showcase his work in DC, I knew I wanted to make it significant. I’m excited to open a new space in Southwest with such amazing work.”

Gi’s central themes include a mix of reality and fantasy. He depicts soldiers, battles, warriors, samurais, hackers and snipers. He references video game culture, spy games, historical and contemporary events, battles, war, insurrection, political unrest and the shock of the future. Women play an important recurring role in his work, and are often depicted as fighters, militants, protesters and leaders that are strong and powerful, beautiful, sometimes sexy and always evocative. Often this is in contrast to the testosterone-heavy narratives or scenes he portrays in both urban and rural settings.

"I observe things all the time. I don’t take references while I’m drawing, but I’m always collecting visual resources. I observe them carefully on daily basis, almost habitually. I study images of all sorts and genres,” Gi describes.

The artist will create a hand drawn / illustrated wall mural on site, measuring approximately 36"h x 120"w, comprised of three different panels inspired by Star Wars. Art Whino will produce limited edition prints of each of the panels and will make them available for purchase soon after the exhibition opening.

During the reception Gi will sign and personalize copies of his different sketchbooks, containing hundreds of pages of drawings. Additional signed copies of his books will be available through the run of the exhibition. Previously purchased books may be signed for $50 during the opening reception only.

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