Gwangju University Hosts Soyoon Kim's Second Solo Exhibition "Timeless Objet"

Hosim Museum of Art until August 15

Expanding Crafted Objects into "Subjects of Spatial Aesthetics"

Gwangju University announced on August 11 that artist Soyoon Kim's second solo exhibition, "Timeless objet," was held at the Hosim Museum of Art on August 10.

Showcased through the 2026 K-Art Young Creator Support Project driven by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Arts Council Korea, and the Jeonnam Cultural Foundation, "Timeless object" marks a pivotal turning point by expanding crafted objects that were once regarded as simply functional furniture or singular items into "subjects of spatial aesthetics."

Poster for artist Soyoon Kim's second solo exhibition. Courtesy of Gwangju University

Soyoon Kim's artistic exploration begins with infusing the Korean traditional formative order and a contemporary visual language into "wood," a fundamental element of nature. What stands out most about her artistic competence is her deep understanding of the joints, construction, and inlaying (sanggam) techniques of traditional furniture, and her precision in seamlessly incorporating state-of-the-art technologies such as CNC routers and laser cutting.

Additionally, another notable aspect is how her project reflects the semiotics of "deep-rooted trees" and the K-Archetype. The artist reinterprets motifs sourced from Korea’s natural landscapes—mountains, trees, birds—as well as the structural interplay of consonants and vowels in Hangul, and the silhouettes of traditional Hanbok attire, as core symbols of "K-culture" within her works.

The nature symbols of trees and birds visually embody Korea's four seasons and landscapes through three-dimensional and planar forms, aiming to convey the profoundness and vitality inherent in nature. As for the linguistic symbols, the strokes and structural characteristics of Hangul are delicately applied as patterns in wall-mounted objects.

Through this exhibition, Soyoon Kim has established a foundation for interaction with the local community ecosystem and demonstrated the sustainability of young artists. By actively utilizing unique local exhibition venues to inspire visitors, as well as pursuing entry into art fairs, developing goods, and securing intellectual property rights (such as design registrations), she offers a sustainable model for young creators within the virtuous cycle of creative industries.

Meanwhile, the exhibition continues through August 15.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.