▲ Pressed flower artist Kim Hyun-jeong

Flowers are beautiful existences on earth. One might have to travel far and wide to find people who do not cherish flowers. Flowers make people dreamy, rich and happy. They enchant people with colors and scents and lead them into a world of imagination. However, all living things on earth are destined to perish. In human’s eye, flowers wither within such a short period of time leaving all their glories of colors and scents in the soil and the air. This might be a reason for some lamenting people to press flowers to keep them forever. Thus born was ‘pressed flower art’. 

20 years of single path

Pressed flower artist Kim Hyun-jeong was born in Gijang, Busan. She grew up watching her mother loving flowers dearly and showing a great interest in art. It was her mother who encouraged Kim to have a go for pressed flower art. For Kim, who was as much enchanted by flowers and the art as her mother, had not that a big reason to say no. So she quit her job to be a fulltime pressed flower artist and has never looked back for the last 20 years. She has held 13 solo exhibitions and engaged in 160 group and invitational exhibitions. 

“The charm of pressed flower art is that I can contain the beauties of the four seasons throughout the year. If I add a meaning to it, it is that I can find the fifth season called ‘life’ in the works” says Kim.

Tenacity 

Kim points out tenacity to be a pressed flower artist. From choosing the flower to picking, drying and making into a work, the art requires this painful but virtuous value. Unlike in the past, however, where people picked up flowers in the wild, today you should rather buy flowers from stores or suppliers due to the government’s endeavor to protect environment. 

“It is important which flowers to use but how to dry comes vital. In my experience, drying is the most important process of pressed flower art because it can ruin the level of completion and, of course, the look” says Kim.

Kim regrets that pressed flower art is still foreign to many people in South Korea. Despite its steady recognition as a part of craft, pressed flower art has more than craft as it has its own artistic beauty. In this respect, she says, it is also regretful that mass produced pressed flower art products are somewhat devaluate this art genre. 

Idea, pride and social contribution

Kim emphasizes the importance of idea and the execution. This requires continuous study and practice and the result might be unique. Having won 80 prizes at competitions and events big or small is based on this idea and the execution, emphasizes Kim. It is notable that among those 80 prizes include a Prime Minister’s prize in the category of pressed flower art with which Kim is proud of. Meanwhile, Kim has donated her talent and rice to local welfare centers and special needs schools through the charity she founded: Flower Scent Lodged Smile. Currently, Kim is busy planning overseas exhibitions. 

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