Regina Kim’s The Light in the Shadow explores the ten- sions between the visible and invisible, real and imagined, fixed and evolving. Through a surreal visual language, she re-examines female villains, reshaping figures like Cruella, Cleopatra, and Odette. Blurring the line between condemnation and empowerment, her work invites viewers to rethink how villainy is defined.
Kim reflects on cultural narratives shaping female antag- onists in media, revealing them as symbols of rebellion, misunderstood power, or societal projection. By break- ing rigid archetypes, she encourages a deeper under- standing of these figures beyond their traditional roles.
Using collage, illustration, and media art, Kim crafts a multi-layered interplay of space, time, and dimensionality, exposing their complex inner worlds. The result is an immersive experience where perception and reality shift.
Ultimately, The Light in the Shadow challenges morality, gender, and identity, urging viewers to reconsider how modern society constructs villainy. Kim fosters reflection and dialogue, offering new perspectives that transcend conventional narratives.
REGINA KIM IS A SOUTH KOREAN VISUAL ARTIST BASED IN LONDON, WHERE SHE IS COMPLETING AN MA IN CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICE AT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART (RCA). HER WORK SPANS COLLAGE, ILLUSTRATION, AND MEDIA ART, CONSTRUCTING MULTI-LAYERED, SYMBOLIC VISUAL NARRATIVES THAT EXPLORE THE INTERSECTION OF REALITY AND FANTASY. SHE ORIGINALLY STUDIED LAW AND CLOTHING & TEXTILES IN SOUTH KOREA, BUT A VISIT TO TATE MODERN SHIFTED HER PATH TOWARD FINE ART. SHE LATER COMPLETED A FINE ART PRE- MASTER’S AT KINGSTON UNIVERSITY. REGINA HAS WORKED WITH ARTISTS LIKE MAROON 5, BILLLIE, AND (G)I-DLE, AND BRANDS SUCH AS PLAYBOY, PORSCHE, AND SK HYNIX. HER WORK HAS BEEN EXHIBITED GLOBALLY, INCLUDING AT SAATCHI GALLERY AND OUTERNET LONDON.