Hyun-Woo “Pixel” Kim

Living - Pixel Kim' poem (2018)

Exhibition of the poem- Living (2018)

Living - Oriental Ink on Paper_ Pixel Kim's Calligraphy (2017)

Listen:

Living — Pixel Kim (2018)

Let’s try living
as a sum of all things.

Let’s live
without shaking.

Let’s bloom flowers
like trees, like houses, like myself.

I am not
the same fool.

But still,
let’s gather the bursting energy.

Let’s be strong.
Let’s gather our strength.

Living.

Going on a journey.
If I go to England,
there, I will have an exhibition — that is the purpose.

For the third solo exhibition,
going to England,
having an exhibition,
that becomes the purpose.

Let’s live.

— End — Statement —

살아간다 — Pixel Kim (2018)

살아간다

모두다 합으로써 살아가보자

흔들지말고 살아가보자

나무와 집, 나와 같은 꽃을 피어보자.
나는 같은 바보가 아니다.
그러나 그런데 솟구치는 힘을 모아보자.

힘내자.

힘을 모으자.

살아간다.

여행에 간다. 영국에 가면
거기에서 전시를 하면서 목적이다.

세번째 개인전에는
영국에 가면서
전시를 하면서
목적이 된다는 것이다.

살아가보자

-끝 – 이상-

I was honestly surprised. It felt almost unbelievable.

I wrote this poem in 2018, and now, eight years later, I am presenting my work in the UK. It feels as if my words from back then were quietly waiting to become real.

As our six-week Zoom sessions with the UK come to an end, we are preparing for the final online exhibition of the Sync residency.

I feel deeply grateful to the artists I shared this journey with, and to Sarah and Thompson who guided us, and Azin who supported us with translation throughout the process.

This experience has made me feel, in a very real way, that dreams can come true.

So I wanted to share this poem today.

1. Arranging pens on the canvas

2. Starting a chaos drawing from the corner

3. Continuing the drawing by passing the pens like a baton

4. Continuing the drawing

5. Coloring the chaos drawing

6. Chaos drawing

7. Completed work Map of Pixels

8. Taking a photo in front of Pixel Kim’s work in the gallery

9. Pixel Kim_Map of Pixels_Mixed media on canvas_112.1 x 145.5cm_2026

The title of this work is Map of Pixels.

Lines begin at the edges of the canvas and continue, connecting as if they are traveling across the surface.

I place multiple pens on the canvas and draw by passing them like a baton, allowing the energy to flow continuously.

As I fill the spaces with color, my emotions begin to feel like a peaceful and safe journey.

This work became the motif for my current solo exhibition, Pray for a Safe Flight.

I hope we can all journey peacefully and happily on this beautiful Earth.

Pixel Kim's solo exhibition

Azin and Pixel Kim

Metaphor of Pixel Kim, alarm clock

Finally, Pixel Kim’s solo exhibition “Pray for a Safe Flight” has opened.

On March 20, the day of the opening reception, Azin—who supported us as an interpreter during the Sync Shorts residency—came to visit. It was so wonderful to see her again.

She brought a gift for Pixel Kim, and it turned out to be a beautiful alarm clock. It was such a surprise.

“Alarm” is one of Pixel Kim’s metaphors, so this thoughtful and unexpected gift felt even more meaningful.

We were truly touched and so happy.

In the last session, we talked about leadership and influence. I realized that my work can also have an impact.

I collect things that people throw away, like egg carton cardboard and empty artificial tear bottles, and turn them into new artworks. These works have also been exhibited.

I also collaborated with an eco-conscious company to create a laptop stand using recycled paper.

Maybe small things — small pixels —
can make a quiet but meaningful change, I believe.

Chaos Drawing

Color Selection

Coloring emotional pixels

I started drawing from the edges toward the center.
The lines move to the heart(center).
At first, it feels like chaos.
But while coloring, it becomes calm.

This work takes a long time, but I really love it.

1. The beginning

2, Lines connect.

3, The canvas fills.

Today I started drawing on a new canvas.
While I was drawing, I realized that this painting continues the thoughts and feelings I had during our recent sessions.
When I noticed that, I felt very happy.

It made me realize that I can speak about my emotions through drawing.
That feeling gave me a strong sense that I have grown as an artist.

First, I drew something at the corners of the canvas.
Then I drew a heart in the center.

From the corner points, small emotions begin to travel toward the heart.
They gather  slowly connect to it.

At this moment, the heart can feel confused,
almost like it has received a electric shock.

Then I calmly continue the lines, moving in circles and filling the canvas.
After that, I will add color, and I imagine that new emotions may appear.

This painting makes me feel that even terrible chaos can eventually become peace.

I would like to call this “Emotional Pixels.”

Many different and complex emotions gather together.
Each feeling becomes a small pixel.

And when they come together,
they form the landscape of my heart.

Perhaps this is my new metaphor.

Drawing Explosion Laboratory

Pixel Kim_Names called by Pixel

Pixel Kim_Staff layout table of a welfare center (imagined)

Pixel Kim_Poseidon Math Drawing

Pixel Kim_Pixel Encounters2

Pixel Kim_Pixel Encounters1

Last week we talked about the elements of leadership, and it made me think a lot about myself.

On Instagram, “Fulfilling Day” is one of my important hashtags.
For me, it means a full and meaningful day, guided by many small alarms.

I also call my studio a “Drawing Explosion Laboratory.”
I think this shows my passion and energy.

When I thought about my identity, the word “school” came to my mind.
It was the place where I first wanted to communicate with the world, and also the reason my pixels began. My math drawing is also from my math class at school

After that, my identity became more diverse.
I like collecting names and making lists. Sometimes I imagine new relationships and draw connection maps. I have hundreds of notes with a relationship of that name.

I am also very interested in connecting things.
The titles of my math drawings are always connected to Greek and Roman mythology.
Both are complex and have no single answer, just like our lives.

The most difficult question was purpose.
I think I want to leave a message in the world.
Maybe a message of beauty and love.

And I hope to share my art with people around the world. This is probably my vision.

Pixel Kim's alarm timetable 2020 Summer

Pixel Kim's cell phone's alarm capture

Pixel Kim_Pixels of the Night

Last time, when we were talking about metaphors,
I suddenly said that my metaphors are alarms and pixels.

Yes, my metaphors are alarms and pixels.

I set more than 46 alarms every day.
Sometimes I change a few of them.

These alarms, like small pieces of time, help shape my wonderful day.
And small pixels create my world of art.

One of my drawings,  Pixels of the Night, was inspired by the night view of the city that I saw on my way home.
I had spent a fulfilling day drawing late into the night at my studio (the Jamsil Creative Studio in Seoul, which Sarah also visited).

(Looking at this drawing also reminds me of the streets of Seoul painted by Thomson.)

Alarms are my metaphor and also my friends.
I listen carefully to my friends, and I am always together with them while I draw pixels.
So I am never lonely.

Pixel and math drawings

Poetry

Chaos Drawings

Because I draw what I experience and imagine through pixels, my pixels continue to expand.

For me, a pixel is a unit through which I see the world.

These units sometimes become mathematical formulas, and at other times they become poetry.
Recently, they have been expanding into emotions and images that reflect the confusion of the world we live in.

This new body of work, the Chaos Series, will be presented for the first time at my solo exhibition in March.

1.Charismatic

2.Collaborative

3.Quiet

I mentioned in the last session that I wanted to try expressing my leadership style through color.

I shared that I see charisma as orange, collaboration as green, and quiet leadership as blue.

When I came home, I made a few small drawings on little pieces of paper I found around my room, thinking more about those ideas.

I’m sharing them here as a small and personal reflection from that session.

Pixel Kim's studio

Pixel Kim's art works

This week, I sent all the artworks for my solo exhibition to the gallery, and I was able to meet everyone with a light and relieved heart. I have almost recovered from my cold as well.

Until now, I have simply enjoyed drawing and worked diligently. Honestly, I never thought of myself as someone who has leadership. I had never really talked about such things before. But this time, I began to reflect on my life, my work, and the idea of leadership.

My motivation for making art may be quite simple. I truly love drawing. I sometimes find it a little difficult to have conversations with people, but when I communicate through my artwork, I feel excited, comfortable, and happy. That is why I want to keep drawing, and why I want to connect with others in this way.

It is not only about drawing. Everything around me becomes my inspiration and artistic material. Sometimes it becomes recycled art, sometimes installation art, and sometimes media art.

Art is my life itself. It gives me strength.
That is what I think of as my charisma.

Pixel Drawing Workshop

Hello,

I chose three leadership styles:
Charismatic, Collaborative, and Quiet.

1. Charismatic

I am a careful person, but I like to show people what I am doing well and share my art.
I do not always stand in front or speak fluently, but I want to share my work.

Connecting with people through art is very important to me.
It makes me happy.

I believe every drawing is connected.
I am always willing to share that energy.

2. Collaborative

I truly enjoy working with children and other artists.
That is why I have led several Pixel Drawing workshops where we create art together.

When we draw together, we look at each other, smile, and feel free through art.
The results are often stronger than what one person can make alone.

I feel that collaborative leadership, where everyone can join and connect through art, suits me well.

3. Quiet

I do not speak very fluently.
There are many things I want to say in my mind, but they do not always come out easily.

So I begin by writing my thoughts or quietly drawing.
When people see me drawing, they become curious.

They watch, and sometimes they follow my drawing.
Then slowly, they find their own way to draw.

We naturally influence each other.
Before I know it, I see people enjoying their own style.

Sharing that kind of energy always makes me very happy.

This is how I lead through art —
with connection, with people, and in my own quiet way.

안녕하세요,

저는 카리스마형, 협력형, 그리고 조용한형이라는 세 가지 리더십 스타일을 선택했습니다 .

1. 카리스마적인

저는 신중한 사람이지만, 제가 잘하는 것을 사람들에게 보여주고 제 작품을 공유하는 것을 좋아합니다.
항상 사람들 앞에 나서서 유창하게 말하는 것은 아니지만, 제 작품을 나누고 싶습니다.

예술을 통해 사람들과 소통하는 것은 제게 매우 중요합니다.
그것은 저를 행복하게 해줍니다.

저는 모든 그림이 서로 연결되어 있다고 믿습니다.
그리고 저는 언제나 그 에너지를 나누고 싶습니다.

2. 협력적

저는 아이들과 다른 예술가들과 함께 작업하는 것을 정말 좋아합니다.
그래서 함께 작품을 만드는 픽셀 드로잉 워크숍을 여러 번 진행했습니다.

우리가 함께 그림을 그릴 때, 서로를 바라보고 미소 짓고 예술을 통해 자유로움을 느낍니다.
그 결과물은 종종 한 사람이 혼자 만들어낼 수 있는 것보다 더 강렬합니다.

저는 모든 사람이 예술을 통해 참여하고 소통할 수 있는 협력적 리더십이 저에게 잘 맞는다고 생각합니다.

3. 조용한

저는 말을 유창하게 하지는 못합니다.
머릿속에는 하고 싶은 말이 많지만, 항상 쉽게 입 밖으로 나오지는 않아요.

그래서 저는 먼저 떠오르는 생각을 적거나 조용히 그림을 그립니다.
사람들이 제가 그림 그리는 모습을 보면 호기심을 갖게 되죠.

아이들은 지켜보다가 때로는 내 그림을 따라 그리기도 합니다.
그러다 보면 서서히 자신만의 그림 그리는 방법을 터득하게 되죠.

우리는 자연스럽게 서로에게 영향을 미칩니다.
그러다 보면 어느새 사람들이 자신만의 스타일을 즐기는 모습을 보게 되죠.

그런 에너지를 나누는 건 언제나 저를 아주 행복하게 해줘요.

저는 이런 방식으로 예술을 통해 사람들을 이끌어갑니다. 소통을
통해서, 사람들과 함께, 그리고 저만의 조용한 방식으로 말이죠.

Joking Pixel

Hello, I am Pixel Kim from Korea.

I am very happy and pleased to join the Sync Shorts Residency.

This is one of my chosen pieces.

The title is “Joking Pixel.”

Joking Pixel (2017)
Marker pen on paper, 110 × 79 cm

The pixels are chatting, talking a lot, and playing happily with their friends.

These pixels are my memories.

They hold the names of my friends and teachers.

They are my experiences, and also my imagination.

The idea of the pixel began when I first entered school.

I drew the square desks where my friends were sitting.

I wrote their names inside the squares. Sometimes I filled the squares with color instead of names.

I could not speak well at that time, so I drew while imagining playing with them.

People said my drawings looked like pixels.

So I gave myself the name “Pixel Kim.”

I drew many pixels. I drew them every day, like doodling.

I used a marker pen on paper. First, I drew the pixel lines in black. Then I filled them with colors.

When the drawings piled up, I tried connecting them together.

It felt like playing. It was so much fun.

Sometimes the connected forms looked even better. All the drawings became connected. It was amazing.

Here, the work “Joking Pixel” is also made of three drawings connected together.