STARLIT SYNTAX by herry kim
We are delighted to present Starlit Syntax, a whimsical solo exhibition by Korean artist Herry Kim. This presentation unveils a new body of paintings that reflect her signature balance of playfulness and depth, rooted in the idea of ‘worldbuilding’ where Kim explores how memory and imagination constructs entire universes. Her dream-like works invite viewers to step into constellations of colour and story, where syntax becomes starlight and meaning takes playful shape.
The exhibition opens with a series of special events October 3-4 at UPSTAIRS | INÉ, and features a specially designed menu reflecting the art available exclusively during its run, merging visual and culinary creativity into a multi-sensory experience.
UPSTAIRS | INÉ - the sister to the acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant Taku- is a contemporary gallery lounge dedicated to showcasing the work of emerging artists. Distinct from traditional exhibition spaces, this intimate environment allows artists to connect with patrons through curated events, salons and an exceptional menu. Guests can drop in, enjoy a drink or bite while appreciating the art on display.
ABOUT THE ARTIST | HERRY KIM
Herry Kim (김혜리, b. 1995)'s works explore the human experience, translating journeys through both analogue and digital mediums. Each piece weaves an underlying sense of hope, anticipation, and resilience, her playful and joyful aesthetic shining through the key figures in her paintings, with colours reflecting the serenity and wonder around us. In her works, viewers inhabit the boundary between dichotomies at play: the imagined and the real, the virtual and physical, the unknown and the familiar. These subjects and canvases pay tribute to life’s dreamers and explorers who navigate our world with curiosity and courage.
Born in South Korea, Herry Kim is based in Los Angeles and Seoul. She holds a BFA in Painting and Sculpture from Seoul National University and an MFA in Art and Technology from the California Institute of the Arts. Her works have been exhibited in Seoul, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, and Barcelona.
Exhibition Catalogue
Click on each painting below to learn more, and for the price list, view here.
A CONVERSATION WITH HERRY KIM
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A CONVERSATION WITH HERRY KIM 〰️
Exhibited.at (EA): Hello Herry! We’re so excited to learn more about your paintings, thank you for taking the time! The title of the show, Starlit Syntax, is so evocative. How does it speak to you and what constellation of meaning does it carry?
Herry Kim (HK): Thank you! Starlit Syntax means a grammar written with starlight. To me, painting itself is a way of contextualizing colors - arranging them into a language of their own. It’s like the moment of stargazing and suddenly finding a shooting star. Make a wish!
EA: What threads or ideas weave this exhibition together?
HK: The show explores the relationship between humanity and nature, seen through a hopeful and dreamlike lens. It emphasizes the wonder of stargazing and the serendipity of finding shooting stars. It’s about harmony in a fragmented world, a reminder that beauty and hope remain even in uncertain times. I depicted children in nature to convey this sense of innocence and renewal.
EA: What kind of resonance do you hope your work leaves in those who experience it?
HK: I wanted to create a peaceful and warm emotional colorscape. I wish for viewers to feel refreshed, as if their vision has been renewed by the flow of colors.
EA: This girl appears again and again across your canvases. Is she a muse, a memory, or something else entirely?
HK: I named her Smile. She transforms herself through many different manifestations. For me, her figure is like another canvas within my canvas. Through her big eyes, she becomes a mirror — inviting me and the viewers to reflect on emotions and inner worlds.
EA: The shooting star seems to weave across your canvases. What story or symbolism does it hold?
HK: The shooting star has always symbolized dreams and wishes in human history. By painting one, I want to bring a spark into my world, to depict a fleeting moment of illumination.
EA: Can you walk us through the journey of how a painting begins and unfolds for you?
HK: I begin by making drawings from thoughts, references, and texts first as draft sketches, which I then translate onto canvas. Recently, I have been working with oil paint, acrylics, and oil pastels and since moving to Seoul, I’ve also been inspired to explore traditional painting mediums.
