Esther Kim illustrates an “HYPER GIRLY” world by focusing girls who like fashion, polka dots, and teddy bears.
Since she was young, born in LA and raised in Tokyo, Esther Kim was in the middle of many different kinds of pop cultures mix right in front of her eyes. She could grasp the two cities, cultures, visions in her own special way.
Now she has extreme sense in her “HYPER GIRLY” works where it could easily go over borders and attract both attractive girls and boys attention throughout the world.

Please tell us about your latest activity.

I recently worked on a six page spread for Nylon Korea about Chanel’s Coco Rouge Shine products.

ILLUSTRATION FOR REPIPI ARMARIO taken from GASBOOK POP 3

How did your ‘HYPER GIRLY’ art practice started?

I’ve always been really girly and I guess when I draw I become even more girly.

ESTHERLOVES YOU TOTE and 944 MAGAZINE taken from GASBOOK POP 3

‘Born in LA, grown in Tokyo’, How does this background influenced to your artwork?

I absorbed so much fashion, culture, art and design when I lived in Japan in the 90’s as a teenager. It was a very formative time in my life and I look back and realize that a lot of things that I do now are from that time. As for Los Angeles it is a strange city where an artist can be very isolated and focus on their work and in that way it has been good to live here. In terms of aesthetics I love the palm trees, pink and orange sunset skies and sherbert colored buildings.

ESTHERLOVESYOU TOTEBAGS taken from GASBOOK POP 3

Please tell us 3 points that you care about most when making artworks.

I like for my work to show the hand of the artist. I don’t like it when things are too perfect. Something needs to be a little off and lastly it has to make me smile.

PAINTING

Have you got field or media which you would like to explore your art practice in the future?

I definitely want to do more large scale paintings and I want to continue to work closely with fashion companies. Also it would be great to develop my animal characters and make products like plush animals or cell phone charms.

What do you want reader to look from the GASBOOK pop magazine?

I want girls to look at it and feel happy and fuzzy and strong.

GASBOOK tee, Photo: Yosuke Torii

Please tell us if you have got favorite places to go in weekends.

I love to go to a coffee shop and sit and draw.

SKETCH

What is the happiest shopping you have done lately?

I went to Nadia in Harajuku (the shop girls are so cute and so nice!) and I bought a fuzzy sweater with a big heart and different colored sleeves and my friend, Minah, bought me a vampire teeth necklace from there.

If you have any comments to Japanese audience.

I am so lucky and happy to show my work in Japan. It is really a dream come true to be working with Japanese companies and sometimes I feel as if I’m too lucky. Thank you so much for all your support and love.
Also during this difficult time with the earthquake, tsunami and situation in Fukushima my friends and I are praying everyday for Japan.

GASBOOK pop 3 – Esther Kim
Specification: 32 pages / Souft cover / 150 x 210 mm
Release: March 2011
Price: 1050 yen
Available at GAS ONLINE SHOP (Japan only)
https://www.hellogas.com