Minjung Kim (b. 1962, South Korea) is a contemporary Korean artist renowned for her ink paintings, emphasising subtle formal compositions on layered paper. Her work merges East Asian approaches to calligraphy and painting and Western contemporary notions of abstraction. Kim’s meditative and ritualistic practice involves repetitively burning Korean Hanji paper, a process that symbolises emotional healing and the unpredictability of nature. In her work, fire denotes time and space, accelerating the centuries-long process of natural deterioration. In this technique, she examines paper as a historical medium for communication and a versatile material that can express countless variations in shade, texture, and form.

She developed a deeper interest in the interplay of Eastern and Western techniques while studying in Milan, Italy. Over time, she transitioned from the figurative conventions of East Asian art to exploring the expressive potential of marks and maculas. Since 1998, she has utilised layered paper as a foundational element in her art. By burning sections of these layers, she evokes a sense of three-dimensionality, illustrating a chronological dimension that signifies the passage of time. The burnt edges evoke a quivering condition, revealing forms that evolve, fade, and re-emerge within resounding spaces that connect and embrace them.

Kim’s work has been exhibited internationally in major institutions and galleries. Recent major solo presentations include the Fondation Maeght, Art Basel Unlimited, Almine Rech Paris (2024), the Gwangju Biennale (2023), Hill Art Foundation (2021) and White Cube (2018).