Jihyun Kim: Selected works, 2023-2026
Salty Fairy Ring Project, 2025-2026
This series was inspired by Jihyun’s grandmother’s ritual of placing a small ceramic jar filled with salt near the entrance of their South Korean home. This jar was believed to prevent negative energy and evil spirits from entering the household, and it is a widely held belief and superstition in South Korea. Jihyun merged this tradition with the enchanting properties of fairy rings, which are circular formations of mushrooms that have been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Drawing inspiration from these two sources, Jihyun created a series of salt containers, aptly named ‘Salty Fairy Ring/’, which embody a sense of wonder and magic.
Teoju, 2025
Teoju is inspired by the Korean god Teojusin, traditionally represented as the god of land, who protects the earth where the home is located. Traditionally, by placing a big pot surrounded by straw with a cone-shaped lid in their yard, Korean ancestors wished for good luck and thanked Teojusin for blessing the land.
Fingernail Fungi, 2023
The inspiration for ‘Fingernail Fungi’ came from Korean folklore about fingernails and the mouse. Jihyun’s grandmother always told her not to cut her fingernails in
the night because the mouse will eat them and become her. She incorporated this mystical tale with the poisonous and hand-like appearance of the Red coral fungi.
The dangerous properties of the mushroom serve as the driving force behind the artwork, ensuring that the piece not only contains fingernails but also safeguards
them from the covetous appetite of mice.
Captions
- Salty Fairy Danji 11, 2026, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Borosilicate Glass, Stainless Steel Wire, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 7, 2026, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 1, 2025, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Gold Lustre, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 3, 2025, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Gold Lustre, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 4, 2026, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 6, 2025, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Borosilicate Glass, Stainless Steel Wire, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 8, 2026, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Borosilicate Glass, Stainless Steel Wire, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 9, 2025, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Gold Lustre, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 12, 2026, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Gold Lustre, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 13, 2025, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Gold Lustre, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 17, 2025, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Borosilicate Glass, Stainless Steel Wire, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 18, 2025, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Gold Lustre, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Danji 19, 2026, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Borosilicate Glass, Stainless Steel Wire, 18x18x28 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Enoki 1, 2026, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Borosilicate Glass, Stainless Steel Wire, 27x13x32 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Enoki 2, 2026, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Gold Lustre, 27x13x32 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Salty Fairy Enoki 6, 2025, Porcelain, High-Fire Color Stain, Gloop Glaze, Gold Lustre, 27x13x32 cm. Photo by Karin Taylor, Chris Rands
- Teoju, 2025, Excavated Clay, Porcelain, High-fired colour stain, Gloop glaze, Gold Lustre, 210x210x350 mm
- Fingernail Fungi, 2023, Porcelain, High-fired Colour stain, Experimental glazes, 230x150x100 mm
