Step into the golden world of Kim Il Tae
At Revo Art Gallery, we are honored to present an ephemeral collection of real, gold art by Kim Il Tae, as a part of our first collection launch. Kim’s works are not simply gold; they are a delicate innovation of the art medium, designed to marry timelessness, luxury, and expressionism.
Take a look at the ephemeral nature of human expression through Kim’s timeless approach.
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Kim’s Approach
Kim uses 24 karat gold, the purest form at 999 parts per thousand gold, for artworks meant to endure indefinitely.
Unlike oil paintings that fade and crack, Kim’s gold pieces are immune to such issues. His intention is to create timeless art that will last for generations, spreading feelings of wealth, happiness, and benevolence unchanged over time.
Kim Il Tae:
Gold has captivated the human imagination for ages, often likened to the sun by the Incas who called it the ‘tears of the sun’. With its dense, soft, and ductile properties, gold boasts a distinctive yellow hue and luster, reflected in the royal colors of Brunei, Malaysia, and Thailand.
In a contemporary twist, South Korean artist Kim Il Tae has elevated gold art to new heights. Unlike others who use gilded techniques, Kim employs 24 karat gold, forging a path uniquely his own, inspired by his passion for art and the influential women in his life.
Artwork Name
Kim Il Tae first made waves in the Korean art world in 2011 with his debut private exhibition in Insa-dong, a prominent arts district in Seoul. At this show, a metal detector was used to verify the gold's authenticity, which created a significant buzz. Since then, Kim's unique artwork has captivated the Korean public and attracted a global following, earning him widespread critical acclaim. He is distinguished as the only artist globally who incorporates pure gold into both his paintings and sculptures.
As of now, Kim Il Tae has showcased his work in over 20 cities, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Los Angeles, with plans for additional exhibitions soon.
In 2014, The New York Times featured an interview with him, during which they highlighted his ambition with the quote:
“To be remembered as an artist who did not follow the trends of his time but made his own path in the international community through gold art.”
Kim’s special technique of turning gold into an art medium has never been recreated by anyone else. His art is truly one of a kind, and with an innovative approach to capturing silhouettes, Kim utilizes contemporary techniques with traditional Korean themes to create an amalgam of cultures and influences.
Kim diligently strives to set himself apart from Western traditional artists, discovering that gold serves as an ideal medium for expressing Eastern philosophy.
Inspired by simplicity, he uses roses to symbolize his desire to impart the warmest, most honorable, and most genuine moments to others. Through his art, Kim aims to communicate a timeless message that transcends generations.
Kim’s artworks have gained global recognition over the past decade, marked by a significant private exhibition as one of the pioneering Asian artists showcased at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery.
Today, Kim's artworks adorn the private collections of several esteemed individuals and influential figures across the globe. Among these notable collectors are music icon Madonna, the CEO of Google, former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, and tech visionary Eric Schmidt. Kim's pieces have found resonance among these discerning collectors, adding to the cultural and artistic diversity of their personal environments.
