Sang Woo Kim's Self-Portraits Explore Identity and Gaze Ahead of Venice Group Show

Sang Woo Kim, a 32-year-old artist and fashion model, is set to showcase his work in the group exhibition "Aura" at the Ama art foundation in Venice, which will open in May. Originally from Seoul and later raised in Hampton, London, Kim pursued fine art at Goldsmiths before being discovered as a model at the age of 19 near King's Cross. In 2014, he made history as the first Korean male model to walk for Burberry, subsequently collaborating with renowned brands such as Lanvin, Balenciaga, Fendi, Kenzo, Ralph Lauren, and Vivienne Westwood. His artistic focus is on self-portraits exploring identity and representation, with prices ranging from £7,000 to £40,000. Kim's first solo exhibition, "The Seer, The Seen," at Herald St gallery in London in 2024, sold all 25 pieces. His latest works feature fragmented close-ups of his face and eyes, employing pigment-dye transfer techniques influenced by Robert Rauschenberg. Laurent Asscher, the founder of Ama Venezia, has praised Kim as "one of the most compelling painters of a new generation." The exhibition will also feature works by Arthur Jafa, Christopher Wool, Charles Ray, and Jenny Saville alongside Kim's contributions.