MARY YIM KLIAUGA

300 MCKINLEY AVE.

NEW MILFORD, NJ 07646

201-967-1911    

mary.yim@verizon.net          http://www.myimkliauga.com

 

Artist Statement

Text Box:  I am a Korean-born American artist living in New Milford, New Jersey. I came to the United States as a student at Mt. St. Scholastica college in Atchison, Kansas after our family fled from the communists during the Korean war. My parents (Yim Yong Ryun- father, Nam Soon Paik-mother) were artists who studied in Paris and the United States. They were pioneer artists who brought western style painting to Korea. My exposure to painting led me to study art in Korea and in the U.S., but not seriously until I retired from the position as Director of the Department of Chemistry and Environmental studies at Good Housekeeping Institute.

My background study in chemistry helps me to experiment in painting depicting scenes of landscape and nature from my imagination. I like to use bright colors in calligraphic gestures to create movement, form and space. I have participated in many exhibitions. Recently in January, 2006 I participated in the “Korean Expression” show at Belskie Museum along with 7 other Korean artists. I have received the best in show in 2006 Winterfest Exhibition for SALUTE to Women in the Arts. In February, 2006 I received second place in Oil painting in the “Celebrating Bergen County’s Diversity” exhibition at the Art Center of Northern New Jersey. I have a deep compassion towards the poor and the suffering. I experienced being poor myself during the Korean War. My collage work “Suffering Servant” depicts poverty, yet the humbling human experience in the world. It won 2nd place at 2003 New Jersey State Senior Art Contest and Exhibition.

Besides my painting, I am a volunteer trustee at the Art Center of Northern New Jersey (www.artcenter-nnj.org) and Webmaster for SALUTE to Women in the Arts organization (www.salutetowomeninthearts.com). I am a member of FGS Korean Community, in Englewood.