Shining DESPAIR
Sunyoung Gheong
USA
Necklace “My Universe/My Home”, 2023
Copper, bronze, Sterling silver, repurposed baby clothes, power coating, thread, 70x100x15mm
(Chain 36 inches)
CAD modeling, 3D printing, Laser cutting, Lost wax casting, Powder Coating, Sewing
Photo : Aaron Paden
As an immigrant mother and artist from South Korea, my work reflects the dualities of migration, embracing a new culture while letting go of family and the familiarity of my past. This journey fills me with feelings of isolation and drives me to explore concepts of belonging and home. In my current project, « My Universe, » I use contrasting materials to capture this experience. Laser-cut, powder-coated metal creates a protective shell around soft, hand-sewn cushions made from my son’s baby clothes, representing the tension between strength and vulnerability.
The honeycomb pattern both shields and reveals, echoing the emotions tied to motherhood and migration. My work transforms personal challenges into enduring forms, standing as a silent witness to my life’s hardships and triumphs. Through the combination of metal and fabric, I create objects that tell the story of motherhood, migration, and the universal desire for home, a place where suffering is acknowledged and embraced with grace.