Jewellery & Metal (MA)
Yoojung Kim
Yoojung Kim is a South Korean jeweller and metalworker. She graduated from the Seoul National University College of Fine Art, Craft and Design department, in 2015. She completed her Masters at the same university in 2018 and then came to the Jewellery & Metal programme at the Royal College of Art for a new experience. Yoojung has shown her works in numerous group exhibitions and is concurrently showing her latest works in a solo exhibition in South Korea (22 July – 1 August).
Material in her artworks means more than a simple means of expression. Processes of finding new possibilities in materials, and expressing this eloquently, are important parts of her approach. The core of her practice is to look at interesting characteristics of materials and explore their expressive potential. The interior objects based on the study of metal structures and the curing characteristics of epoxy resin are on display at her solo exhibition now, while her art jewellery pieces inspired by two years of London life, based on a study of transparency and translucency, are shown here on the RCA2020 platform.
By taking time to meditate alone Yoojung observes her emotional boundaries every day. The process of perceiving all the small emotional changes helps her understand herself and the world around her. Her works aim to heal personal heartache through a deeper understanding of personal space and interpersonal relationships. Her thoughts and feelings in daily life are recorded by making them visible and tangible. Yoojung’s recent project about windows has explored transparent and translucent materials as the main source of her inspiration. There are no restrictions on the use of industrial processes in her work, these include 3D printing, CNC milling and laser cutting, but the detailing of her works stem from the traditional craftsmanship.
The project she is currently working on involves interviewing people over the phone and listening to their stories and reflections about their own living spaces and interpersonal relationships during the process of being isolated from the house due to social distancing. She is planning to make jewellery based on reconstructing these personal narratives, interacting with people and inviting them to reflect on their stories.
Invisible Influence 01 — Brooch_silver, nickel silver, 3d printed clear resin, stainless steel_82x82x6(mm)_2019
Invisible Influence 02 — Brooch_silver, nickel silver, 3d printed clear resin, paint, stainless steel_65x91x5(mm)_2019
Invisible Influence 03 — Brooch_silver, nickel silver, 3d printed clear resin, paint, stainless steel_65x91x5(mm)_2019
Invisible Influence 04 — Brooch_silver, nickel silver, 3d printed clear resin, paint, stainless steel_82x82x6(mm)_2019
Humans are naturally attracted to what they feel is normal. Our views are anchored to our own perspectives, and we interpret facts in a biased manner that supports the conclusion we want to reach. This series attempts to depict this inherent human tendency by overlaying two different panels in an abstract way. The base layer signifies the subject of our observation and its space, whilst the textured resin positioned on top represents an individual’s own experience, memory or values that influence their interpretation of the subject.
Shadow Jewellery 01_Imagine the sunset from the window — Headpiece_acrylic, brass, mdf, chemiwood_440x440x14(mm)_2020
Shadow Jewellery 02_ Own green in your space — Headpiece_acrylic, brass, plywood_440x440x13(mm)_2020
Recalling the memory of the warm light from the window, this project puts the wearer at the centre of the experience. The headpiece uses the given light in the space of the wearer and projects it onto the body. The wearer can contemplate various colours and shapes of light on their body and enjoy the situation in which the shape of the shadow changes according to their body curves. The colour shadow of the structure will change every moment according to the direction and intensity of the external light and create unpredictable movements.
Your Space and Alone Time — A Black Window_brooch_recycled wood, silver_2020 / Longing or regrets_brooch_recycled wood, acrylic sheet, silver_2020
interviews
It was my space that I once loved the most, but the dark time made even the good memories of the space a gloomy colour. Only then did I realise that I loved my space because there was an outside world to devote energy to.’
Whether you are having a good time at home or not, whether there is a positive or negative emotional change in your living space itself or specific objects in the living space, or whether there is a change in your attitude toward interpersonal relations as the situation of facing people decreases?
I was curious how other people would feel in this tough time and I started interviewing people over the phone one by one and listening to their stories reflecting on their own space and interpersonal relationships during the process of being isolated from the house due to social distancing. I’m planning to make jewellery by reconstructing these personal narratives they told me.
Can we let cherries be cherries?
A question of sexual objectification
Collaboration with Jaden Cho in RCA Womenswear