EVANESCENT LANDSCAPE – SVARGLOK, JAIPUR

Juree Kim’s practice studies disappearance and ephemerality. Her interest in old architecture dates back to old Korean buildings that were brought down to make way for buildings in glass and chrome. Her work comments on urbanisation and the erasure of history. In her practice, Juree carefully constructs old buildings in clay, and once dry, she exposes them to water where they meet their destiny of de-construction and disappearance.

For the Indian Ceramics Triennale, Juree studied and researched multiple buildings in Jaipur, such as the Hawa Mahal, Amber fort, City Palace and some industrial areas. She was struck by the beautiful patterns and architectural structures as well as saddened by the pollution and environmental issues of the city. An 18th century Rajasthani miniature painting titled Svargalok that Juree came across at the City Palace museum inspired her current work. The painting depicts the heavenly abode of the Gods with detailed architectural elements such as chhatris, baggaldhaar roofs, jharokhas and arches. Juree draws from these sources to create her imagined city. Once the work is complete and dry, Juree pours water slowly into the base tray, allowing for the structure to collapse as it comes in contact with water. Juree says “As an artist, I cannot whatsoever, intervene in the process of the encounter between earth and water. It is the interactions between these two elements that creates my work”.

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JUREE KIM has had four solo exhibitions since graduating from Kyunghee University School of Sculpture. She has been invited to the Victoria and Albert Museum, Bernardo Foundation, Seoul Museum of Art, Song Eun Art Space, China Henan Museum and Sungkok Museum to work as resident artist and exhibit her work and videos. She is the recipient of the Grand Prize at the 2010 10th Song-Eun Art Award, South Korea. Juree has participated in numerous beinnales and art festivals in England, China, Korea and Taiwan.