DIMO Artspace's third exhibition features 11 Korean, foreign artists on Incheon's Seonjae Island

Some of the participating artists pose for a photo in Seoul, March 3. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Spring is Mother Nature’s reminder of fresh starts and renewal, as flowers bloom and leaves regrow on trees, symbolizing new life and rebirth.

With this seasonal observation in mind, DIMO Artspace presents its third group exhibition, titled "Born from Earth," featuring both Korean and foreign artists. The exhibition brings creative stories that remind us we are all born from the Earth and shaped by its elements, each of us carrying a unique voice and story.

A poster for "Born from Earth," the third exhibition by DIMO Artspace / Courtesy of DIMO Artspace

DIMO Artspace was founded in 2024 by Moroccan artist Soukaina El Hayany, who is part of a multicultural family and moved to Korea in 2019. After discovering her passion for drawing and painting, she studied at the Milan Art Institute, a U.S.-based online fine art school, and then decided to create a space where artists could come together, grow and showcase their work.

Her story of where this journey started is worth listening to. She says that art has always fascinated her, but she never had the chance to study it formally due to her father's strict upbringing. “My mother is a talented artist, and I grew up admiring her work, always wishing I could learn to paint. It wasn’t until I moved to Korea that I picked up a brush for the first time. That moment brought me so much joy that I wanted to pursue art further," she said.

"To improve my painting skills, I took Korean art classes for quite a while, but I felt I needed advanced educational training in the arts."

Her artistic journey truly began in 2020 when she enrolled in the Milan Art Institute. Since then, she has exhibited her work in Korea and Dubai. She was also selected for the Women's Art Award in India and won the Best Mixed Media Award in Dubai, which allowed her to travel and showcase her work internationally.

"I believe that nature and humans have always been deeply connected, and my work seeks to explore and express this bond," she said. "As an Arab artist, I’m excited to engage with audiences while also focusing on organizing the DIMO exhibitions to foster my career. DIMO’s main goal is to connect with art collectors and share our artistic works with wider audiences.”

She said that DIMO is open to all artists, whether they are new aspirants or well-established ones. It’s a place to build courage, show creative artwork and develop artistic dreams while learning and encouraging each other. DIMO is more than just an art space; it’s a community where dreams are turned into reality.

“At DIMO, we embrace artists of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. It’s not just about international artists — it’s about every person who loves art and has a story to tell. Our goal is to give these artists a chance to open up, express their hearts and build the courage to improve. The most important thing is to see growth and development," she said.

"The artists from different backgrounds come together, each bringing their perspective, culture and artistic voice. But at the core, we all remain connected — born from Earth and returning to it, forever intertwined with its beauty. The exhibit highlights the importance of valuing nature and the environment. As nature nurtures life, it also fuels our creativity. The colors we use in our art come from the Earth — minerals, pigments and natural tones that have existed for centuries. Our imagination, our materials and even the tools we create to bring our visions to life all originate from the land beneath our feet ... It is in the textures of the soil, the movement of water, the patterns of the wind, and the endless sky where we find inspiration."

One of the artists, Kayla Marie, an American who has been part of the space's previous two exhibitions, is now helping with the preparations and supporting artists as well.

Artist Kayla Marie in Seoul, March 3 / Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

“I’ve been doing art since I was very young. It's always been my way to express myself because that's the easiest way I know how. I've always said that when words fail, I can at least produce art, and that will help express my feelings. My art output is a little bit slower than most full-time artists because I wait until I have something to say. But they usually are very meaningful to me, and so I wait because when I make art, I want it to be my history in a way,” she said.

She said that she wants people to connect with her art, because it focuses on mental health, so they can realize they're not alone in their feelings.

"It's just the easiest way for me to communicate my feelings. When I'm feeling very depressed, I put that feeling onto canvas. When I'm feeling very anxious, I put that feeling onto canvas," she said. "And from what I've experienced when other people have seen my art, they have said that they have felt the same way, that they have felt like a connection, and it's helped them feel a little bit less alone in that feeling. So, that's why it's really important to me to make art that I connect with and that other people can connect with, if that makes sense.”

Korean artist Yuna Shim is participating in her second group exhibition at DIMO, exhibiting five of her oil and acrylic paintings. She says that DIMO is a very special artist group and that she always feels comfortable, peaceful and joyful with every participating artist. She likes that because every time, all the artists can be together with friendly communication to share their minds and visions.

Korean artist Yuna Shim holds up one of her paintings in Seoul, March 3. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

The exhibition features 11 talented artists in a group showcase at Ppeolrojangsaeng Gallery on Incheon's Seonjae Island from March 9 to 30.

Visit @D.I.M.O.artspace on Instagram for more information.

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.