Study of Photopolymerization of Crushed Gemstones and Sterling Silver using UV-Curing Resin
Doctor of Fine Arts Thesis of Crafts and Design Metalwork and Jewelry Major Seoul National University 2023
II. Crush to Form, 2022-2023
Crush to Form_01, 2022 Sterling Silver, Apatite, Amethyst, Buddstone, Iolite 125x125x230mm
Minerals, Mineral Strata_01, Mineral Strata_02, 2022 Sterling Silver, Amethyst, Peridot, Apatite, Yellow Calcite, Carnelian, Rhodochrosite 65x65x40mm, 110x80x60mm, 85x85x60mm
Mineral Strata_01 & 02 with Candle
Ametrine, 2022 Sterling Silver, Amethyst, Citrine 70x70x70mm
Mineral Glass Set, 2022 Sterling Silver, Amethyst, Obsidian 40x40x70mm, 85x85x120, 90x90x110mm
Mineral Strata_03, 2022 Sterling Silver, Rhodochrosite, Sunstone, Yellow Calcite, Carnelian 225x225x120mm
Crush to Form_02, 2022 Sterling Silver, Citrine, Amazonite 90x90x80mm, 80x80x100mm, 60x60x70mm
Crush to Form_03, 2023 Sterling Silver, Smokey Quartz, Peridot, Citrine 100x100x200mm
Crush to Form_04, 2023 Sterling Silver, Obsidian, Apatite, Amazonite, Yellow Calcite, Sunstone, Carnelian 150x150x220mm
Crush to Form, Objects to Wear, 2023
‘Paper’ Chain Necklace, 2023 Sterling Silver, Carnelian, Amethyst
Crush to Form, Objects to Wear Brooch Series_01, 2023 Sterling Silver, Yellow Calcite, Amazonite 77x32x28mm
Crush to Form, Objects to Wear Brooch Series_02, 2023 Sterling Silver, Kyanite, Ruby, Sodalite 75x45x13mm
Crush to Form, Objects to Wear Brooch Series_03, 2023 Sterling Silver, Carnelian, Peridot 52x60x25mm
Crush to Form, Objects to Wear Brooch Series_04, 2023 Sterling Silver, Amethyst, Sunstone 100x30x27mm
Crush to Form, Objects to Wear Brooch Series_05, 2023 Sterling Silver, Rainbow Tourmaline 57x57x25mm
Frosted (Ephemeral Brooch_Plastic Series)
Artist Statement
Frost ice crystals have become a significant motif in my artworks. I gravitated towards the appearance of frost and the process of how it is formed. Frost is a weather phenomenon that only occurs in environments with a particular temperature and humidity. It tends to only exist during the right circumstances, and melts away if the conditions are not met. When I see frost in nature, it looks as though it is decorating plants or different surfaces, and I am reminded of jewelry as an object that serves to adorn temporarily to decorate ourselves.
I grew up in Ithaca, New York, and one morning my mom held me and walked outside, and saw that everything had turned white overnight. It had been cold the night before, and the cold had frosted every surface, leaving everything sparkly crystal white and beautiful. I was only four at that time, but my mom told me to remember the beauty of what nature can create and to paint it when I grow up. I had forgotten about this memory until my mom reminded me after I had explained it to her that the recent subject of my artwork was ‘frost’.
Frost represents a moment in time, whether it is remembered and cherished, or lost in our subconscious, it still holds its significance within us.
With this Ephemeral Brooch Series, I attempted to bring back my childhood memories by using one of my favorite crafting activities as a child. Plastic fusible beads are little beads that can be assembled and fused together using an iron. I transformed the plastic beads into little needles and fused them together to create frost-like units.
By creating little needles through repetition, which can be a time consuming process, it is as though I am slowing time to savor the moment longer, to make it into something more than passing or fleeting. This dichotomy of making or imitating something that is inherently ephemeral with a material that is meant to be long lasting, serves as a reminder to be present in each moment, which can then result into a memory that is long-lived.
Frosted (Ephemeral Brooch_Plastic Series) in White Sterling Silver, Fusible Plastic, Stainless Steel 75x70x30mm
Frosted (Ephemeral Brooch_Plastic Series) in Color Sterling Silver, Fusible Plastic, Stainless Steel 75x70x30mm
Photo: Park Yoon Studio, Munch Studio