Nam Kyung-min paints rooms of rich and famous

″Diana's Bedroom″ (2021) by Nam Kyung-min [LEE HWAIK GALLERY]

To get a glimpse of the private spaces of famous celebrities and artists, head on over to the Lee Hwaik Gallery in Jongno District, central Seoul.

The gallery is holding an exhibition featuring 15 paintings of Nam Kyung-min, a 53-year-old artist.

For “Icon’s Place and Artist’s Atelier,” Nam drew oil paintings of the rooms or ateliers of actors and artists, including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Diana, Princess of Wales, Claude Monet and Diego Velázquez.

Each painting is greatly detailed. From bookshelves to the view from the window, Nam made sure to precisely depict how they would actually appear.

“I was able to look back at myself while working on these paintings,” Nam said during a press event last week. “By painting someone else’s room, I felt like I could relate to them. Then I realized that if other people were to visit my workspace or home, they would also be able to read what kind of person I am.”

A recurring theme in Nam’s paintings is butterflies, which she says is like her own “spiritual insect,” as it is a symbol of a prophet in Hebrew.

“Icon’s Place and Artist’s Atelier” continues until July 12. Lee Hwaik Gallery is open every day except Sundays and national holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition is free to all.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]