YEESOOKYUNG

Translated Vase

2023 | Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf

Yeesookyung has steadily expanded the spectrum of her work into diverse areas based on a rich narrative imagination. Aware of multi-religious, multicultural, and fragmented histories, the artist has explored themes of “translation” since the early 2000s. Her universe explores the invisible and the unconscious unseen. Embracing all artisanal techniques from traditional craftsmanship to cutting-edge digital technologies, her unique artistic practice creates a dynamic conversation between different worlds.

Her well-known series Translated Vase is reconstructed from discarded ceramic fragments. Skillful ceramic masters reproduce traditional Korean ceramics, and the vases with minor defects are destroyed to keep the rarity and value of the surviving masterpieces. Yee pieces these destroyed pots back together in the manner of three-dimensional jigsaw puzzles, covering the cracks in gold. From a moment of destruction, the artist obtains a chance to intervene and fabricates new narratives with her own translation.

Seoul-based artist YEESOOKYUNG has shown a unique artistic spectrum through diverse mediums, including sculpture, performance, installation, video art, painting, and drawing. She has explored the themes of fundamental questions facing any human being, such as past and present; life and death; reality and unreality; secular and sacred things; individuals and society; and different cultures. These explorations have unfolded her unique artistic universe inspired by her own experiences, as well as ancient mythology and stories.

Yeesookyung has solidified her position on the international stage by holding multiple solo and group exhibitions. The artist was also invited to the 57th Venice Biennale, titled VIVA ARTE VIVA curated by Christine Macel.

Her works are in the collections of museums overseas, including National Museum of Contemporary Art Korea, British Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago, M+ Museum in Hong Kong, and Capodimonte Museum in Naples.