The solo exhibition of painter Kim Won-ok, which began on October 22 at Topohouse (6 Insadong 11-gil), will run until October 28.

At first glance, the women in Kim Won-ok’s paintings may appear ordinary—bent-backed grandmothers, mothers with worn hands, women who have quietly carried the weight of family and time. 

Yet beneath the soft watercolor tones and delicate pen lines lies something radiant: an unwavering resilience, a life lived in full bloom.

“I often see mothers—wives and grandmothers—who’ve lived their lives sacrificing so much for others,” Kim shares. “Their backs may be stooped, their knees aching, but they carry warmth, love, and a quiet beauty. I wanted to paint that.”

Her ongoing “Halmeoni (Grandmother)” series portrays elderly women dressed in floral-patterned blouses—vivid, tender, and nostalgic. The flowers, Kim explains, are symbols of joy and vitality. 

“They love flowers so much. Even if life has been hard, I wanted to dress them in something bright, as if they were going out for a happy day.”

Though this is her first solo exhibition, Kim has painted for years, often through art clubs and community gatherings rather than formal training. “When I paint, all other thoughts disappear,” she says. “It’s healing. Whenever I feel down, painting helps me breathe again.”

Her choice of pen and watercolor is deliberate—delicate yet strong, capable of expressing both tenderness and grit. 

The medium reflects her subjects: fragile in appearance, but powerful in essence.

The artist plans to donate proceeds from the exhibition to local senior welfare centers. “These works were inspired by the elders around me,” she notes. “It feels right to give something back.”

Through her art, Kim invites viewers to look again at the women who shaped them—to see not only their labor, but also their grace. “A mother,” she reminds us, “is still a woman who loves beauty and flowers.”