My Artistic Life - Aiga_ kimyounghwa

My Artistic Life – Act 1: A Journey of Creation and Enlightenment

I was born in Dongno, Mungyeong, a place where magnificent mountains and nature harmonize. Growing up in an artistic family, I never had the opportunity to receive formal music education, but I received the highest level of apprenticeship in painting and ceramic drawing. Art was destined for me.


Childhood and the Solace of Nature

During my teenage years, I faced many difficulties. Whenever the weight of life became overwhelming, nature comforted me, absorbing my inner turmoil and pain, transforming them into the language of art. Spending time alone with nature, I deeply explored my inner world, which became an essential foundation for my artistic sensibility.

My 20s – My Father’s Ceramic Art and Academic Growth

As I entered my twenties, I naturally immersed myself in my father’s world of ceramic art. My father, a national intangible cultural heritage artist, carried on the tradition of Korean ceramics, and I observed his work closely, absorbing the aesthetics of lines, colors, and forms. Growing up watching my father shape ceramics and paint intricate designs, I naturally internalized the essence of art.

I further solidified my artistic foundation by studying at the Department of Oriental Painting at Hongik University. I had the privilege of learning from outstanding mentors who expanded my artistic horizons. Master Song Su-nam (Namcheon) profoundly influenced my artistic philosophy, while Professor Ha Tae-jin guided me in landscape painting, Professor Lee Kyung-soo in color techniques, and Professor Hong Seok-chang in bird-and-flower painting. I particularly delved into Goryeo Buddhist paintings and their color schemes, exploring the philosophy and essence of traditional Korean colors.



This research later enabled me to develop color techniques suitable for painting royal portraits and modernize the traditional color palette of Oriental painting. Furthermore, the forms and aesthetics I learned from my father’s ceramics naturally integrated into my paintings, shaping a unique artistic flow. I began to establish my distinctive style not only in painting but also in ceramic painting.

Artistic Struggles and Identity Crisis

After graduating from university, I held my first solo exhibition, featuring literati paintings and landscapes. However, for the next eight years, I wandered both in art and life. I struggled to find my identity, painting works under the theme of "Wandering Soul"—pieces devoid of energy, engulfed in chaos. My paintings reflected my inner turmoil, filled with somber colors and disordered lines that mirrored my unstable state.

A Turning Point – Enlightenment and Divine Inspiration

One day, upon a friend’s recommendation, I began a journey of spiritual training, which led me to realize that I am the protagonist of my own life. It also became the moment when I encountered the Creator of the universe, God. The year 2003 marked a pivotal transformation in my life.

As I emerged from artistic confusion, my use of color changed. The landscapes of golf courses, infused with the harmony of the five traditional Korean colors (Obangsaek), exuded a mysterious aura reminiscent of a utopian paradise. My artwork began to radiate a mesmerizing brilliance. The colors I now used were a fusion of those obtained through meditation and the divine inspiration passed down from my ancestors.

Artistic Roots – The Inspiration of Kim Hong-do

One of the defining moments in realizing my artistic lineage was my deep connection to Kim Hong-do, my ancestor. Whenever I closed my eyes, I repeatedly envisioned Kim Hong-do's "Wrestling Scene" (씨름도). For years, I did not understand why this painting was constantly appearing in my mind. However, as time passed, I came to see it as divine inspiration from my ancestor. The artistic heritage of Kim Hong-do revived itself through my brushstrokes.

Golf Art and Globalization of My Work

Subsequently, I spent 15 years painting golf-themed artwork for the Munhwa Ilbo newspaper, which became a major turning point in my career. By merging traditional Oriental painting with modern sports, I pioneered a new artistic genre, earning the title of "Golf Artist."

While Lee Wal-jong (Yi Wal-jong), another esteemed artist, depicted golf with a Western aesthetic, I focused on innovating Oriental painting techniques to reinterpret golf within a traditional Korean artistic framework. Art critic Jang Joon-seok praised this unique combination, calling it "the self-portrait of our era." As golf became an Olympic sport, my golf-themed paintings gained international recognition.

"Moment" – The Art of Manifesting Thoughts into Reality

During my 40s and 50s, I led the art market through my golf paintings. Now, in my 60s, I am expanding my artistic philosophy on a global scale through the concept of "Moment."

Life is a series of moments. Some transform these moments into miracles, while others descend into self-destruction through crime or addiction. Kim Young-hwa’s "Moment" embodies the philosophy that "thoughts become reality," aiming to convey beauty and positive energy.

Everything is a result of choice. Whether in politics or personal life, the direction one chooses can dramatically alter fate. Through art, I aspire to guide people toward choosing goodness over evil, and creation over destruction.

21st Century Art, Its Chaos, and My Philosophy

With AI disrupting the art world and unfiltered emotional fragments flooding the industry, many contemporary art fairs feel like emotional wastelands rather than curated exhibitions. However, amidst this chaos, I am committed to preserving the essence of true art.

Through countless struggles and thousands of drawings, I have refined my art, shedding unnecessary elements to extract its pure essence. I believe this is possible because my artistic DNA is directly linked to Kim Hong-do, one of Joseon's greatest painters. The "Magic Moment" paintings, which emerged from a process of relentless refinement, now strive to purify the world through art.

Childlike Joy in Art – The Artist "Aiga"

Even now, I paint like a child. When I paint, I return to a state of pure focus, sincerity, and happiness. This is why I identify myself as "Aiga" (아이같은 영혼을 지닌 화가, "the artist with a childlike soul").

The Beauty of Joseon: A Journey Toward ‘Modesty Without Shabbiness, Splendor Without Extravagance’

In 2022, art critic Kim Yoon-seok described my paintings as embodying the principle of ‘Geom-i-bul-lu, Hwa-i-bul-chi (儉而不陋 華而不侈)’—modesty without shabbiness, splendor without extravagance. This phrase encapsulates the aesthetic values of Joseon, where restrained elegance and dignified opulence coexist in perfect harmony.

My paintings feature vivid colors harmonized with the depth of ink and the aesthetics of empty space. This aligns with the spirit of Joseon painting, where controlled lines and balanced colors visually express inner energy. Though simple in composition, my works are full of vitality, serving as both an experiment and a challenge to reinterpret Joseon’s aesthetics in a contemporary context.

Moving forward, I will continue to deepen my exploration and development of this philosophy. My artistic pursuit aims to preserve the essence of tradition while achieving harmony with modern sensibilities. I will remain committed to my vision—creating an art world that embodies the timeless beauty of Joseon, where ‘modesty without shabbiness and splendor without extravagance’ defines its artistic expression in a contemporary form.

Moving forward, I will continue to preserve the essence of true art and create paintings that purify the world. I dream that my moments, and my paintings, will bring more beauty and serenity to the world.