< Gyeob >

Hyelim Kim is a fashion artist who finds the roots of her creative practice in Korean tradition. In her 2020 solo exhibition < Ascending >,  she focused on the sculptural aesthetics of po (traditional Korean outer robe) and the silhouettes and pleats of cheollik and daeran skirt (types of traditional garments). This was followed by < Gyeol > in Chicago in 2022, where she utilized various textile materials to express vibrant color palettes and elegant lines. Subsequently, Kim was selected as an invited artist for the project ‘Research Institute of Modern Hangeul’ hosted by the National Hangeul Museum, where she explored a distinct and innovative formative aesthetic.

< Gyeob >, her current exhibition in London, extends this creative journey by introducing Obangsaek—the five cardinal colors that symbolize the cyclical principles of East Asian philosophy. While maintaining a distinctly Korean identity, Hyelim seeks harmony between East and West through visualizing the beautiful aesthetic of 'Gyeob' (layers). She achieves this by cutting, joining, and layering Korean materials—characterized by the flowing structure of kkaekki (a refined, rolled-edge seam technique)—with textiles of various textures.

Balancing simplicity and splendor, the works in this exhibition reveal poetic resonance and rhythm in the textures of superimposed fabrics, the refined yet dynamic layers, and the colors that blend both intensity and subtlety. Ultimately, this exhibition presents the narrative and Korean tradition, which Hyelim Kim considers essential elements of her creation, as another form of literary discourse.

Opening times:

11:00 ~ 17:00 Dec. 9 ~ Dec. 14

11:00 ~ 15:00  Dec. 15

Contact: hyelimk07@gmail.com 

Instagram: @hyelimkim.archive