Heechan Kim

Exhibitions

• LIGHT - May 1, 2012

Statement

My work operates out of the conceptual space where my ideas about human relationship encounter the structural processes of hand made forms. My particular interest in human relationship has been human coexistence in modern global society. I explore issues of intense emotional tension, obsession, violence and sexuality through the material process of bending thin wood strips and stitching them with metal wires. These construction methods express the understanding that every human being is connected, bounded and destined to exist together. As such, the form of the human body itself deeply influences my work both formally and conceptually. I see my objects as containers. The word, ‘to contain’, has an important role in my body of work. As a container, the object makes a boundary of inside and outside, creating a new space and volume. Ultimately, it synthesizes all the elements of the object making possibilities to become more than what it is. It is in this synthesis of elements that the objects speak to our experience as humans. When we surrender our view of distinction and containment, we allow ourselves the possibility to become something much greater.

CV

Education

2007 – 2010 Wood Working and Furniture Design Rochester Institute of Technology
(M.F.A.) (Rochester, NY)

2007 summer Anderson Ranch Summer Workshop Anderson Ranch (CO.)
(Wood working)

2006 – 2007 Metal Arts and Jewelry Academy of Art (in San Francisco, CA)

2001 – 2006 Metal Arts and Jewelry(B.F.A.) Seoul National University(in Korea)

Exhibition/ Award

2012 2012 Spring Emerging Artist-In-Residence Program, Oregon College of Art and Craft,
Portland, Oregon

2012 Widener Memorial Foundation Gallery, Introduction 2012 for Career Development
Program, Philadelphia, PA

2012 308 at 156 Project Art Space, Life In and Out, Curated by Leslie Kerby, New York City, NY

2012 The Center for Emerging Visual Artist, Career Development Program Fellowship.

2011 Viridian Gallery, The 22nd International Juried Exhibition,
On Power Point Curator’s choice- Curated by Elisabeth Sussman,
Chelsea, New York City, NY

2011 Phoenix Gallery, National Juried Group Exhibition 2011, Curated by Renee Vara,
Chelsea, New York City, NY

2011 Niche Awards Finalist, Wood, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA

2010 Artprize, Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) (top 100 rated), Grand Rapids, MI

2010 M.F.A Thesis Exhibition, Bevier Gallery, Rochester, NY

2009 Niche Awards Finalist, Furniture (Chair), Pennsylvania Convention Center,
Philadelphia, PA

2008 Faculty Selects exhibition (Bench), the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, Boone, NC

2008 Selected in 500 Enameled Objects, Lark Book

2008 Niche Awards Finalist, Furniture (Bench), Pennsylvania Convention Center,
Philadelphia, PA

2007 Annual Honor Show, Furniture, Bevier Gallery, Rochester, NY

2007 Inspired by Music, Metal, Gallery R, Rochester, NY
Exhibition featuring work by RIT students

2007 Spring Show, 2nd Place in Metal work, Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA

2006 B.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

2006 Metro Metal Exhibition, Metro Hotel Gallery, Seoul, Korea,
Invitational