Sang Woo Kim: The Seer, The Seen

Individual experience gains value only when seen within a social context. Sang Woo Kim’s self-portraits explore this idea, reflecting his effort to “reclaim agency” over his racialisation as a Korean man in Britain. His work highlights the connection between personal identity and broader political conditions. Kim’s paintings often focus on eyes—a motif challenging stereotypes tied to his appearance. This debut solo exhibition in London contrasts his own gaze with that of others, suggesting a dialogue between the artist and the society around him.

Kim’s numerous self-portraits show a determination to reclaim his image. Having been a fashion model, his likeness has often been shaped by an industry focused on market needs rather than personal truth. His paintings, always tightly cropped and never showing his full face, challenge the notion that his identity can be fully captured by a photograph.

In addition to his painted self-portraits, Kim also presents pigment transfer works using manipulated images from online sources and personal archives. These pieces blur the lines between photography and painting, reflecting the overwhelming visual landscape of today. By stripping images of their original context, Kim plays with the perception of photographic “truth.” His works question the expectations surrounding his own image, inviting viewers to confront their own perceptions in a hall of mirrors where identity and representation overlap.