This year has been an amazing year in regards to the artists I’ve been exposed to. Stella Im Hultberg is one of these artists, and I must admit that I’ve become so obsessed with her works; one might even say I’ve crossed the fine line between being a fan, and stalking every new piece she creates. Stella Im Hultberg, was born in South Korea in 1976. Although she was born in Korea, she was raised in various parts of the world, including; Seoul, Hong Kong, Taiwan, California and settling in Brooklyn, New York. She studied Industrial Design at CSU which propelled her career as a product designer since college. In 2005, she began to feel like her voice was lost in the works she was creating, and so began to surface the beautiful imagery we encounter in galleries across the nation today.

In my findings of Im Hultberg, I’ve learned that she is an honest, hard-working artist still searching for cultural roots. As I searched the web for information on Hultberg, I found that it was a little difficult to learn about her as a person. There wasn’t a Wikipedia page that made it easy to take what I needed—but what I did find were countless interviews she’s had throughout her career. I’ve read a decent amount of these interviews and I’ve found that, like her art, she bares her soul. I like that some people have asked her what the women, the skulls, the flowers, etc., in her paintings mean, and she simply doesn’t know sometimes. It’s rather refreshing to read that even an artist interprets their own piece once it’s done. She does however admit that, she just really likes those elements and therefore finds it natural to include them in her pieces.

I was also very intrigued by two facts. It seems Stella’s artwork truly is talent from within. In an interview on DailyDuJour, she admits to not having been formally trained, and therefore, many of her latest works have been experiments she’s challenged herself with. This is almost unbelievable. Her works are gorgeous and every detail, whether she knows it or not, has its purpose. I would never guess that she didn’t know how to work with oils since the moment she picked up a brush, and how glad I am that she challenged herself. Her oil works are stunning and I only wish I lived in LA to see her works in person now. I also find the fact that in just 4years since participating in her first group show, Stella has become a very established and sought after artist. She’s shown her works in galleries such as; Lineage Gallery (now Joshua Liner Gallery),  Roq La Rue, Gallery1988, Limited Addiction,  Corey Helford and Thinkspace Gallery. She was also one of the many artists who participated in Kokeshi art show at the Japanese American National Museum.

Stella’s focus on women is what keeps calling me to her art. I want to know who these beauties are. Why they do they have sullen eyes? Why are they so sensual, yet vulnerable at the same time? Their eyes retain sorrow, wisdom and longing—why? Every single piece causes these questions to arise, and therefore, I look deeper into their surroundings. I can’t imagine how I’ll act during this weekend’s Summer Group Exhibition at the Joshua Liner Gallery when I finally see one of her pieces in person and not just on my screen. I also hope that I am lucky enough to meet her in person and tell her how much joy her art brings me.

Currently, Stella Im Hultberg has created a home in Brooklyn, New York with her husband. She enjoys painting, eating and bike riding.

Artist’s Site: http://stellaimhultberg.com/index.html
Referenced interview: http://dailydujour.com/2009/07/02/interview-with-stella-im-hultberg/#more-12265
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stellaimhultberg