Artist Profile Melaniya Kim

Kim’s upliftingly precise and serene lines finely balance tension, tenderness, and space.

Artist Statement

My portraits convey silence, inner emotions and unseen human strength. Working mainly in graphite, I capture not just likeness, but fleeting expressions – moments held in a glance, a gesture, or the tilt of a head. Each line brings me closer to the subject’s essence. Through my art work, I invite viewers into a quiet dialogue where emotions speak louder than words.

Artist Biography

My name is Melaniya Kim, I’m 15, I was born and raised in Kazakhstan. From early childhood, I was drawn to creativity – especially drawing. My journey began in elementary school, when a visiting teacher invited us to art lessons. That moment sparked a passion that has only grown stronger.

After years of painting and drawing, I entered the UNESCO Arts School, graduating with honors in 2024 through an accelerated program. As the digital world expanded, so did my interests: In 2022, I enrolled in a Computer Academy to study Digital Design, where I’ll graduate in November, 2025.

My traditional art skills evolved into digital expression, and now I work at the intersection of both. I’ve been accepted into a Graphic Design course at UCLA for Summer 2025 – a chance to dive deeper into global creative perspectives. I also plan to apply to one of the world’s top universities in Graphic Design.

My work – paintings, graphics, and sculpture – has been exhibited for three years in the regional museum. In 2024, I won first place at an international art olympiad with a piece drawn entirely from memory.

Art is my voice, my joy, and my future. With it, I live and breathe.