Etching a journey of the heart

FOLLOW the path printmaker Hyunju Kim has taken throughout her artistic career with a visit to her next solo exhibition.

Kim said Heart’s Journey, to be presented at the Ross Creek Gallery from Saturday 10 February, showcases her evolving copper plate etching practice.

It’s also reflective of the many places she’s travelled to and lived in, from Korea to India and Pakistan, Egypt, and regional Australia.

“Interacting with those different cultures has been my journey,” she said. “It’s been nearly 20 years of travelling, meeting people, making art, and this is my heart’s journey.

“You can see how my works change, how my heart was moving, and where I’ve been.”

Kim said she takes inspiration from religion, spirituality, and nature, and often references Islamic creatures and symbolism.

Not a fan of black, she uses vibrant hues, and often hand-colours her prints with gouache.

Unable to travel overseas in the height of the pandemic, Kim and her husband Damon Kowarsky, a fellow printmaker who she met in Egypt, decided to travel around Australia with their sketchbooks.

“I found out how unbelievably beautiful Australia is,” she said.

“Although I’m living here, there were so many beautiful places I didn’t know about, so I started making scenes of Australia.

“I take inspiration from the places, and when I come home, I mix the scenery with my imagination.”

Kim has been based in Australia for 12 years and said she and Kowarsky enjoy being in Ballarat which has become an “artists’ home” with a growing creative scene, and great galleries.

“I’m happy working here making prints, I’m working all the time,” she said. “Many printmakers also live here.”

“I’m excited about having an exhibition at Ross Creek. It’s a pleasure to exhibit in new places.”

Heart’s Journey will be viewable from 11am to 4pm Friday to Sunday, and closes on Sunday 25 February at 183 Post Office Road at Smythes Creek.