Collect, 2025 : BOUNDED SHADOWS

Bounded Shadows: The Art of Kyeok Kim

In the realm of contemporary art, few materials command the sense of tactile wonder and timeless elegance as copper wire and Otchil lacquer—a pairing transformed by the Seoul-based artist Kyeok Kim into evocative forms that blur the boundaries of craft, design, and fine art. It is with great honour that we present this solo exhibition at Collect Art Fair 2025, one of the premier global platforms for contemporary craft and design. This prestigious fair, renowned for showcasing boundary-pushing works by leading artists, offers a fitting stage to celebrate Kyeok Kim’s transcendent artistry and her exploration of tradition and innovation.

 

Kyeok Kim’s mastery begins with her materials. Copper wire, traditionally associated with industrial and functional purposes, is transformed through an intricate process of crochet—a method she employs to create complex, lattice-like structures. Each wire is meticulously intertwined, forming patterns that balance strength and delicacy. Once these forms are constructed, Kim, applies layers of Otchil lacquer, a traditional Korean varnish derived from tree sap. This labor-intensive process requires patience and skill, as multiple layers are built up, polished, and refined to achieve a luminous, durable finish that enhances the texture and form of each piece. These creations are then imbued with the depth and vitality of Otchil lacquer, a centuries-old Korean technique that Kyeok reimagines for contemporary practice. The resulting works are suspended in time, at once organic and architectural, delicate and enduring.

 

This exhibition also situates itself within the broader narrative of Kyeok Kim’s artistic journey. Her participation in the prestigious Loewe Foundation Craft Prize underscored her as a global voice in the dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetics. Her formal training at the Royal College of Art and her background in jewellery making have further honed her ability to transform intricate techniques into groundbreaking works of art. Recognition by this esteemed platform, alongside her participation in notable exhibitions across Asia and Europe, reflects Kyeok’s ability to transcend geographic and cultural boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in her heritage.

 

At Collect Art Fair 2025, Bounded Shadows invites viewers to consider not only the forms themselves but also their interplay with light and shadow. The silhouettes cast by Kyeok’s works become as integral as the physical structures, weaving layers of narrative through the spaces they occupy. These shadows remind us of the delicate balance between materiality and immateriality, presence and absence.

 

Through the works exhibited, Kyeok Kim demonstrates what can be achieved through threadlike copper and shimmering Otchil, drawing on the meticulous craftsmanship she cultivated in her jewellery-making practice. Her artistry is a testament to the power of innovation grounded in tradition. As you engage with this remarkable collection, may you find yourself immersed in the worlds she so elegantly spins—where light, form, and shadow are forever intertwined.