Joann Jiyoon Kim - Untitled (Ophelia),2020
https://joannjiyoonkim.com/work
Joann Jiyoon Kim is a Korean American artist who was inspired to paint at a very young age. Having two cultural backgrounds, Joann uses contemporary ideas combined with strong traditional techniques. She mainly works with acrylic paints and photographs, although she’s interested in using different materials. As a fine artist, she continues to explore new techniques and mediums to create artwork. From 2015 to 2019 she studied Fine Arts in Fullerton College and continues her studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her artwork, “Dead Girl Lying in Morgue Stock” and “Untitled 2015”, was selected for a group show held by the Korean American Community Artist Association 2016 and 2017 in Fullerton, California, where she won an award and became a member of the Association. She taught hands-on art classes to students age five to twelve, mostly demonstrated the use of art and materials. She believes an art is not so much about how realistically you can paint on canvas. It’s about making work that are relevant to our time and bringing the ideas to attention that mainstream culture might not portray in media.
Artist Statement:
This series of photographs started as a reinterpretation of the famous old master painting: Ophelia by John Millais (1852). The series of work began with a simple question: "What would have happened if Ophelia from Hamlet didn't meet a tragic death?". The series depicts the model with a number of different styles, showing what could have happened if she was able to find strength in those who loved her. In this new representation, Ophelia rebels against her tragic fate that previously imposed on her and accepted by her. Ophelia does not rise in belligerent opposition to tradition or in a fight against persistent ideals, but in a blooming of consciousness, an awakening of awareness of her own responsibility for her life, emotions, and destiny. My initial goal for this project was to use staged photography to suggest an alternate ending for Ophelia.
Throughout the photo shooting, I had to overcome several unexpected obstacles before the final prints. For instance, the mood of the whole scene was dictated by the amount of exposed light. I have focused on portraits that capture mood through light and composition. And with different lighting and compositions, I wanted to create an image that resonates with emotion. As more lights were exposed to the protagonist, a serious mood shift happened. I played with two contradicting ideas. The flowers that surround her symbolize her desire for attention in the background, while the white dress symbolizes her innocence. In the end, an alternate ending does not lead to a definite answer but rather leaves an open-ended question to the viewer.
