Current Exhibition
Youngeun Kim
Badae 15 (2023)
Silk
130cm X 150cm
$2,000AUD
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YOUNGEUN KIM
BADAE 15 (2023)
Silk
150cm X 130cm
$2,000 AUD
BADAE 15 (2023)
Silk
150cm X 130cm
$2,000 AUD
YoungEun Kim has been studying the art of Chimseon since 2015. An important, intangible cultural asset, Chimseon is the traditional sewing techniques utilized in the making of Hanbok, the Korean national dress.
However, more than simply a technique, Chimseon can actually be viewed as a process, a mindfulness and overall thoughtfulness towards the garment’s construction, its materials, history, what it will be used for and the messages it conveys.
Inspired by the various materials, techniques and garments she encountered during her practice making Hanbok, Kim began a body of artistic work alongside her garment manufacture, focusing on Badae, an element of Hanbok traditionally only known and seen by the makers themselves.
“Badae is a component found in single-ply Hanbok. It is a piece of cloth that is added to areas that move a lot (like the shoulders or armpits) to prevent damage and increase the durability of the fabric.”
By separating this usually “invisible” element of the garment and elevating it to an artwork, Kim is highlighting the fact that the manufacturer of Hanbok is more than simply the production of garments, but rather an intricate and elegant construction that goes beyond simply technique and process and becomes something far more meaningful.
“The ultimate intention of my artistic work is to introduce Hanbok in new ways. Except for minor changes, the overall form of Hanbok has remained largely the same for over 500 years. I believe that there is a lot of precious beauty in things that have been preserved for a long time and so I dedicated myself to learning how to make Hanbok in the traditional way.”
Through the Badae series, Kim is hoping to change the way people look at Hanbok, while at the same time highlighting how we can often overlook or take for granted these invisible elements in other objects and works of art we may encounter in our day to day lives, encouraging us to look more deeply and slowly at that which is all around us.
“The reason I focus on this small part, Badae, was because I wanted to highlight elements that only those who have made Hanbok themselves know about. Even though no one sees them they are beautiful and without them the garment would not work. I believe that this will allow me to introduce Hanbok to more people and get them to see the garment differently.”
“I hope that the relationship between the audience and Hanbok will become more friendly through my work on Badae.”
The interior of the A.SINGLE.PIECE gallery contains a video installation related to Youngeun Kim’s practice.
This artwork is also available through Art Money
.