Fine Art
Having earned her BFA from Grand Valley State University and classically trained under a handful of Goldsmiths, Sookyung continues to make works of Wearable Fine Art.
Fine Art differs from traditional jewelry as it is “form over function” and represents a concept.
Fairy Koi-Mother
This classic Chinese folktale is akin to the Cinderella story.
“They were woven of golden threads, in a pattern like the scales of a fish.”
Copper neckpiece, formed and pierced, cold connected (not soldered) Flame patina 2009
Across the Silvery Stream
A Korean folktale the artist grew up with where the magpies fly to the heavens to form a bridge across the Milky Way, thus reuniting celestial lovers and saving earth’s creatures from drowning in their tears.
Copper, patina, silver leaf 2009
Jeanne
This locket piece is an homage to the artist’s long lost grandmother, who turned out to be a a metlasmith in her own right. Part of a “Design Challenge” in which participants receive a kit and adhere to particular specifications.
Brass, sterling silver, copper. Incorporated material: carved tigereye repurposed from grandmother’s earring 2018
Center pierced locket; Scandinavian rooted design in brass, Korean Hangul “Family” pierced in copper inside.
Handmade Roman chain in brass and copper. Accent links in brass and sterling silver.
Custom fabricated Box Clasp in copper, pierced brass accent.
Family Tree
Hand carved branches cast in Sterling Silver link together lockets with pierced fronts of Korean flowers: as a child, the Artist was told her name meant “welcome pretty flower”. Inside, small tokens belonging to members of the artist’s paternal family; a carved carnelian stone from a ring, an antique Philadelphia rail token belonging to the grandfather, and a carved, soap stone elephant from the first tie-tack, gifted to a young man coming of age are revealed.
A most literal representation of how the Artist feels they are commonly perceived: purely based on physicality; before it is revealed as being the only commonality she possess. Being adopted and raised in a multi-racial family and this feeling of ‘the outside not matching the inside’ have been part of a life-long process that will surely make a conceptual reappearance. Fabricated box clasp.
Sterling silver, found familial objects. 2018
gaengsaeng
(king-sing) “Rebirth”
A golden phoenix rising from a ‘found object’ bird skull represents the cyclical order of life, death and rebirth. Primary construction in yellow metal, representing the Asian association of the color bird with ‘earth’; the platform of this endless cycle.
Hand-pierced brass, Sterling Silver chain, copper bead accents, bird skull. 2017
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Re-Imagine a Historical Object: Personal Tea Strainer
Handmade chain with cast, ‘tea leaf’ links to take your Personal Tea Strainer with you wherever you go.
Sterling Silver, 2016
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“Nature’s Song”
Nature Design Challenge- Metalsmithing Category Winner 2012
Pierced copper, sterling silver