Jinan Kim
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jinan Kim earned an MFA in Metals and Jewelry at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. She has lived in West Lafayette, Indiana, since 2007, creating work that explores the interplay between geometric forms and diverse artistic mediums.
Form, Structure, and Vibrance
Geometry is at the heart of my artistic expression. Points, lines, planes and spaces form the foundation of my creations—wearable silver sculptures and paintings. These fundamental structures, though simple, evoke the full spectrum of human emotions: safety, tension, brightness, sadness. I find endless fascination in the interplay of these basic elements, allowing them to communicate stories and feelings that transcend words. My artistic journey began as a silversmith. The allure of shiny, precious metal drew me in, its hardness and brilliance inspiring my early work. I transformed flat, simple lines into intricate geometric forms, and two-dimensional sheets of silver into wearable, three-dimensional sculptures. My creations celebrated precision, elegance, and structure. Over time, my art evolved, shaped by life’s transitions: starting a family, raising a child, and adapting to new surroundings. My work expanded to include colorful paintings, bringing new joy to my practice. While these two forms of art are distinct, they are united by my use of geometry as a shared visual language.
