" 많은 사람들이 눈을 훈련하고, 감상하고 예술을 구매하기위한 교육이 필요하다. 예를들어 이러한 것이 가장 훌륭한 작품의 하나라고 말할 수 있다. 그리고 왜 이러한 일이 가장좋은 현대미술품의 하나인지 당신은 동의 하지않을 수도 있다 강은 지난주 코리아 타임지와의 인터뷰에서 "그러나 당신이 무엇인가를 알게되면 작가를 만나서 경험을 축적,개인화하게 되고 그것들이 곧 당신것이 될것이다". 라고 강은 말한다.이것이 내가 작품을 판매하는것 보다 쉽고 아트 컨설팅 영역에 빠지게 되는 이유이다."
Kang has been in the business for 10 years. In 1999, she founded Paradigm Art (www.paradigmart.com) in New York with the vision ``to raise the awareness of visual culture in society internationally." Her company's unique proposition attracted media attention, including features on CNN and PBS.
The company organizes gallery tours, studio visits, private cultural events, lectures and artist talks, so people can learn more about art in-depth. Her clients include the Asia Society, Lehman Brothers, Hyundai, Singapore Art Museum, Brown University and Harvard Business School.
``I want people to know that not only expensive art is good. Price is not relevant to good art," Kang said. "That's why I'm geared towards education. I'm a profit company, but I'm working as a non-profit to educate people. I'm looking at the long term. I want my clients to stay as my clients forever."
With her Korean background and European and American education, Kang is more than capable of acting as the link between the U.S. and Korean art worlds. At 16, she left Korea to attend the International High School in Geneva, Switzerland. She fancied becoming an artist, so she majored in textile design at the Rhode Island School of Design.
``I wasn't so confident about being an artist because it is such a lonely and long journey. But I figured I'm pretty good with people so I was pondering and searching myself. I discovered I'm good at promoting art and making connections with people. So I went to New York University for my masters in art administration," she said.
``It's pretty much like being an art agent. You find a talented artist, you find collectors and you match them. I'm sort of an art matchmaker. It's a funny expression, but that's basically what it is. I've been doing it for 10 years now."
Kang also sees herself as a ``cultural ambassador" for both Seoul and New York, having curated exhibitions featuring artists from both cities.
Paradigm Art offers a VIP program which introduces the New York art scene to Korean businessmen, and Korean culture to American businessmen. Kang is particularly keen on giving American clients a taste of what Korean culture is really about.
``You could say I'm a cultural matchmaker, cultural ambassador and cultural lobbyist … Culture is another leading item in the 21st century. Korea is also one of the cultural leaders in Asia. We have beautiful art and culture, but it's just undiscovered. I feel so privileged to give my time to show Korea to my clients," she said.
Paradigm Art is also stepping up its efforts to attract Korean women and students. For single Korean women, Paradigm Art offers the ``Art in the City" program, referencing the popular HBO series ``Sex in the City."
``These golden misses like to travel and want to have a fun experience in New York. It's not just about art, but also fashion and lifestyle," she said.
The NY Biz Program gives students and young professionals a chance to experience the art scene, as well as meeting professionals working in galleries and museums in New York.
Kang, who is the only Korean woman in the art consulting business in New York, does not seem to run out of enthusiasm when talking about her company.
``I'm right in the middle ... My company is very unique and forward looking. And I get to meet very interesting, culturally open-minded people … I love my job," she says with a smile.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr 
Through her company Paradigm Art, Kang introduces contemporary Korean art to American clients and international contemporary art to Korean clients. 
