NORWICH – A newly remodeled art gallery, located on the second floor above French bakery and pastry shop La Maison Blanche, will feature local sculptors and artists, according to store owner Miby Kim.
The upstairs, three room gallery currently displays paintings and sculptures by Kim’s brother, Korean-born artist Chong Ho Kim, who relocated to Norwich in the summer of 2009. Yet this is much more than just a family affair, as both Miby and Chong expressed their desire to include other local artists, in a variety of styles and forms, in the future.
“We’re very excited to bring other artists in, and hope they will be in contact with us,” said Chong, whose workshop is located adjacent to the gallery. “Every couple of months we will be putting up new pieces and switching things around.”
Self-taught, Kim laughingly commented that he began painting purely by accident. Following the purchase of a variety of art supplies for his children, and as they began to lose interest, Kim found himself attempting to express himself on canvas.
“After months of experimenting, I started to see some improvement,” said Kim. “As time went by I could see that I was getting better and better.”
Kim stated it was his belief that being self-taught gave his work a unique twist, and described it as “realism with an element of surrealism, inspired by nature.”
Recently, the artist has begun experimenting with other mediums, including abstract and landscaping, which he considers an art-form unto itself.
“His work is just so beautiful,” stated Sydney resident Eva Harvis. “It’s so amazing that we have something like this in the area.”
Kim can be reached at La Maison Blanche, located at 5420 Route 12 South, from 1 to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. For more information, and gallery hours, call 336-9666.