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Paintings Consider Our Unique Characteristics From Early Childhood to Adulthood

NEW YORK, NY, November 22, 2011 – The Children’s Museum of Manhattan announced today the opening of I Wish I Knew You When You Were Five, a new exhibition of portraits by artist Jamie Kim. The exhibit, which opens November 25, consists of a series of portrait paintings on T-shirts, capturing qualities that remain consistent and unchanging from childhood into adulthood. Based on childhood photographs of friends and colleagues, Kim’s portraits are displayed with photographs of each adult wearing their own childhood portrait.

Kim works within the biological and psychological framework that claims an individual’s personality traits solidify and become apparent by age five or six. Her approach encourages viewers to consider the physical characteristics and gestures unique to one’s personality, as children and adults.

“I am intrigued by the qualities and traits that remain the same over time. Life experiences may influence you, but you are still the same person as you were when you were a child,” said Jamie Kim. “This painting project is an investigation of that idea.”

In addition to Kim’s portraits, interactive stations placed within the exhibit allow children, parents and caregivers to trace their own portraits or draw a portrait of each other. These attempts to capture the visable aspects of character are designed to encourage conversations about what it means to be unique.

“The connection between childhood and adulthood is a topic that both fascinates and confuses children. They marvel at photos of their parents as children, while grappling with what it means to be an adult,” said Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director of CMOM. “Jamie Kim’s art expresses the complex relationship between youth and adulthood, capturing the transition with the eyes of an artist. Her work will undoubtedly create wonderful conversations in the galleries at CMOM.”

Jamie Kim’s work has shown in New York, Chicago, Seoul and Berlin. She earned her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. For additional information on the artist, please visit: www.jamiekim.org.

About the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Founded in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is New York City’s leading cultural institution dedicated solely to kids and families. CMOM inspires children and their families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world through unique interactive exhibitions. CMOM presents a full range of activities, exhibits and special performances that stimulate children of all ages. Through multidimensional programs that reach deep into the community, the Museum serves New Yorkers from all backgrounds. For details on all of CMOM’s programs, please visit www.cmom.org or call 212-721-1234.