"Aciculata Brooch"

Sooyoung Kim

"I am interested in the phenomenon of the vitality of nature, and have examined ways to express this in my work. I sought to not only address the superficial substance of nature, but to express the values and nobility of life that is hidden."

Adopting the vitality of nature as a major motif, Sooyoung Kim's jewelry serves to express this idea in a tangible form. In her quest to capture this in her work, the artist adopts natural imagery from cacti, wildflowers, weeds and dandelion spores. With elaborate design and fine craftsmanship, she brings her pieces to life.

Sooyoung Kim first forms silver sheets into the desired shapes by hammering, and then adds textures by chasing. She uses groups of wires to imitate cacti spines, and layers of silver petals to create flowers. Creating a spectrum of surface colors with patination, the artist transforms the metal into the forms of nature.

Sooyoung Kim finished her BFA in Metal Craft in South Korea and in 2008, graduated with an MFA in Metals from RIT. She currently runs her studio in New Jersey.