Haein Kim’s debut solo exhibition to premiere at Edinburgh Art Festival

This year at the 2023 Edinburgh Art Festival artist Haein Kim prepares to captivate audiences with her first international solo exhibition. Pain 2 Power will take place at the Sierra Metro Gallery from 12 to 27 August.

A firm favourite over here at It’s Nice That, Haein is an award-winning animation director and illustrator. Over her career she’s seamlessly blended her visual arts practice with commercial animation projects for renowned clients such as WeTransfer. In August of last year she published a book in collaboration with creative partner Paul Rhodes full of comics, chatters and stickers. Pain 2 Power marks Haein’s inaugural solo exhibition featuring a stunning collection of new hand-drawn artworks that delve into the psyche of modern women through a playful world of humour, courage, and Haein’s trademark characters. “An uplifting, life-affirming celebration of womanhood, Pain 2 Power represents a new step in the development of Haein Kim’s art practice,” a press release details.

Throughout a recent residency Haein has been diligently crafting new works that will take the form of larger-than-life cutouts. These interactive pieces will invite visitors to engage and immerse themselves in her unique artistic universe. Inspired by luminaries like Japanese artist Misaki Kawai and Henri Matisse, Haein’s figurative artworks often have eye-catching exaggerated proportions and bold, striking colours.

“Ever since discovering Haein’s amazing work online I was determined to showcase it here at Sierra Metro,” says Janine Matheson, director of Sierra Metro. “Haein’s energy, humour and fresh depiction of everyday moments and emotions is captivating and I look forward to welcoming visitors to the gallery to see and interact with her work.”