Na Kim

b.1986 Seoul, South Korea

Na Kim lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Known for her mimetic portraits set against polychromatic backgrounds, Na Kim’s paintings depict figures but are conceptually abstract. Her imagined subjects, derivative yet unique, evoke both confrontational and intimate encounters. Kim’s practice centers neither accuracy nor narrative, but rather reflects a deeply meditative character study.

Solo exhibitions include Kim’s debut solo presentation at White Columns, New York (2023) and forthcoming show at Nicola Vassell Gallery, New York (2025). Group exhibitions include The Selves, Nicola Vassell Gallery, New York (2024) and the White Columns Benefit Auction, New York (2023, 2024). Kim has shown work at a number of art fairs, including Art Basel Miami Beach, Miami (2024) and Independent Art Fair, New York (2024). In addition to her fine art practice, Kim currently works as the art director of The Paris Review and creative director of the publishing house Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Her designs have been named among The New York Times’ best book covers of the year for the past nine consecutive years.

Na Kim

Blue

10 Sep - 24 Oct 2026

'In the works I speak of only the essence is given: the skyness of a sky, the treeness of a tree, the housingness of a house. It serves. It does...

Follow Through

Fifth Anniversary Exhibition

25 Jun - 7 Aug 2026

On the occasion of its fifth anniversary, Nicola Vassell Gallery presents Follow Through , a group exhibition that reaffirms the gallery’s founding commitment to artistic practices grounded in inquiry, dialogue,...

Na Kim

Memory Palace

16 Jan - 22 Feb 2025

Nicola Vassell is pleased to present Na Kim: Memory Palace , an exhibition of new paintings by Na Kim that will be the artist’s first solo presentation with the gallery....

The Selves

27 Jun - 9 Aug 2024

“An artist is a sort of emotional or spiritual historian. His role is to make you realize the doom and glory of knowing who you are and what you are....