Golumba Kim is by all measures an expert watercolourist, the dominant medium in her native land of Korea. A multiple award

winner, and an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour since 2006, her work in this medium is

highly regarded for its sensitive renderings of subject matter ranging from still life to landscape. Blending traditional east -Asian

watercolour technique with the style and subject matter of representational western painters has made her work in this medium

always exceptional.

Artists are by nature creative, of course, and are always seeking to enhance their means of artistic expression. As Golumba

continues to develop as an artist, she has been drawn not only towards other mediums, but to more conceptual and

expressionistic approaches to painting. Recent works incorporate looser, more abstracted form, bolder colour, and dynamic

surface textures. Though subject matter is still often rooted in references to the natural world, the greater freedom that her

usage of other media is providing has opened a whole new array of possibilities in her work. This new exhibition makes it clear

that Golumba has a vibrant approach to her artistic work, regardless of the medium or style in which she is working.

In this cycle I have tried to capture, in a more abstract way, feelings about the rich, textured, joyousness of life. Individual

paintings include elements from many earlier themes. I have used music, figures and fish to express different aspects of my

experience. Color is used largely in an emotional context. I hope that people will engage in visual conversations with these

paintings and leave refreshed.

Golumba uses the symbols of koi and goldfish to represent life

and Freedom. In Asia, koi symbolize luck, wealth and long life.

Some people even worship them. “I love the water. Maybe in a

previous life I was a fish.”

I have included in this show some of my life drawings which were done with live models. I have