Shining DESPAIR
Jounghye Park
South Korea

Brooch “Saves-1”, 2024
Hand-dyed Silk, Brass, 925Silver, 110x105x18mm
Dyeing, Fabrication, Caving
Photo : Sangdeok Han

Brooch “Saves-2”, 2024
Hand-dyed Silk, Brass, 925Silver, 110x115x18mm
Dyeing, Fabrication, Caving
Photo : Sangdeok Han

The ‘Saves’ series is a collection created by layering and carving small pieces of silk fabric, which are byproducts of my creative process. Through this series, I aim to show that even tiny fabric scraps, which would normally be discarded, can be transformed into meaningful and valuable works of art.

I was deeply affected by a documentary about a place in Accra, Africa. In Accra, there is an area where discarded clothing from around the world accumulates, forming a river-like structure. Cows were seen chewing on pieces of cloth in an abandoned pile of clothes that connected like a river trunk.
This documentary reminded me of the growing pile of discarded fabric in my own studio-a small reflection of the much larger problem in Accra.

In my studio, I dye silk, sew, cut fabric, and create artwork. The inner part of the scissors was born from my work, while the leftover-useless pieces of fabric-began to pile up.

The ‘Saves’ series is my way of giving new life and value to these discarded materials. Through this, I hope to contribute to the conversation on sustainability by demonstrating how even what seems useless can be repurposed.

More « Shining DESPAIR »

Shining Despair – Susan Buchanan / Australia

The Earth flexes its muscle, the applied concrete ‘urban skin’ breaks open and a microcosm of life is created in the cracks in the pavement.

Shining Despair – Lena Lindahl / Sweden

Half of the world’s coral reefs have vanished since 1950.

Shining Despair – Willy vande Velde / Belgium

The ring is part of the communication series.

Shining Despair – Aya Iwata / Japan

The theme « Shining Despair » merges two opposing concepts: brilliance and despair.

Shining Despair – Misha McLean / Scotland

‘Repeat Prescription: 14mg’ embodies the quiet despair felt by those who rely on medication in order to sustain a healthy life.

Shining Despair – Holland Houdek / USA

Words fail in the face of miscarriage.

Shining Despair – Arisa Inoue / Japan

It’s not uncommon for darkness to cast a shadow over the human heart.

Shining Despair – Carmen Lopez / Spain

Spinning reflections on the title of the competition.

Shining Despair – Youjin Um / South Korea

My No. 1 treasure is my happy childhood memory.

Shining Despair – Maria Konschake / Belgium

« Prägung » is part of the series « About Space and Identity » …