Heejoo Kim
Heejoo Kim is an applied artist and contemporary jewellery maker living and working in South Korea. Heejoo’s work is a reinterpretation of traditional craft art, expressing traditional techniques and philosophy with contemporary aesthetics.
If you had access to all the powers, how would you improve the world?
If I had such power, I would want to engrave the value of satisfaction in human nature.
What are the biggest sustainability challenges in your work and how are you addressing them?
For artists, making a steady income is as important as presenting something new to themselves and the world at the same time. To make money, I am developing a new series of work that takes less time to produce and that more people can appreciate.
Which conscious lifestyle choices are you making? And are you considering any new ones?
My way is not new. I just try not to be too greedy. I am especially critical of eating too much food. As life in the city always does, I feel guilty about the ingredients and foods that I easily get and throw away. So although I’m not a vegetarian, but I refrain from eating recklessly.
What have you rebelled against in the past, and what are you rebelling against now?
I resist the hegemony that the past must be overthrown. Progression is possible in many ways, both in personal development and human civilization.
What was the inspiration for your Steinbeisser pieces?
I’ve been crazy about the cone shape since almost 20 years ago. If you flip it upside down, it becomes a funnel shape. Images, stories, and history related to funnels are always fascinating to me. Buddhist monks in Korea wear cone-shaped hats when they dance in traditional rituals. My longstanding artistic theme matched well with the symbol of the monk.
Describe your work in 3 words!
Light. Calm. Deep.
What has been your favorite dinner experience?
Recently I had a beautiful dinner with my loved one on my birthday. It was a warm and cozy dinner in a small French restaurant in Seoul. I like delicious food, but enjoying a meal with someone close to me is the most important thing.
What excites you about tomorrow?
Thinking about making my imagination a reality.
Which are your 3 favorite pieces on Jouw…?
It’s hard to pick three because there are so many great works! But if I had to name three, Incalmo Glass by Jochen Holz, Never be Apart Chopsticks by Joo Hyung Park, and Wild Forks by Cornelia Peterson.