Drawing inspiration from traditional Korean furniture to archive the nuances of contemporary life, Hyunhee Kim offers a sophisticated reinterpretation of classical aesthetics for the modern context. Her innovative use of transparent and translucent materials seeks to dissolve long standing barriers, seamlessly merging the inside with the outside, challenging gendered boundaries, and facilitating a deeper communion with the world.
She has a particular affinity for ‘Gyubang furniture’ – emblematic pieces from the inner sanctums of historic Korean households, traditionally the domain of women. Through this medium, Kim endeavors to illuminate and address societal stereotypes related to gender, and beyond this, to celebrate the inherent value found in everyday life. The prominent decorative elements of her creations convey a sense of robust independence, showcasing Kim's determination to stand as a beacon of self-reliance, unencumbered by man-made constraints.
Reflectively, Kim delves into the structures that perpetuate societal group stereotypes in physical spaces, using her art to reinvent furniture not just as functional entities, but as mirrors reflecting contemporary lifestyles and societal norms.
Hyunhee Kim currently lives and works in Seoul. She is an alumni of Hongik University, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in woodworking and furniture design.
[C.V.]
Drawing inspiration from traditional Korean furniture to archive the nuances of contemporary life, Hyunhee Kim offers a sophisticated reinterpretation of classical aesthetics for the modern context. Her innovative use of transparent and translucent materials seeks to dissolve long standing barriers, seamlessly merging the inside with the outside, challenging gendered boundaries, and facilitating a deeper communion with the world.
She has a particular affinity for ‘Gyubang furniture’ – emblematic pieces from the inner sanctums of historic Korean households, traditionally the domain of women. Through this medium, Kim endeavors to illuminate and address societal stereotypes related to gender, and beyond this, to celebrate the inherent value found in everyday life. The prominent decorative elements of her creations convey a sense of robust independence, showcasing Kim's determination to stand as a beacon of self-reliance, unencumbered by man-made constraints.
Reflectively, Kim delves into the structures that perpetuate societal group stereotypes in physical spaces, using her art to reinvent furniture not just as functional entities, but as mirrors reflecting contemporary lifestyles and societal norms.
Hyunhee Kim currently lives and works in Seoul. She is an alumni of Hongik University, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in woodworking and furniture design.
[C.V.]
