biography
Kimsooja was born in 1957 in Taegu, Korea. She lives and works in New York, Paris and Seoul.
Combining performance, video, photo and installation, her work addresses issues of the displaced self and the other, while investigating the dualistic and existential nature of philosophy such as the relationship of yin and yang to life and death; mobility to immobility; and location to dislocation.
Kimsooja’s videos and installations blur the boundaries between aesthetics and transcendent experience through their use of repetitive actions, meditative practices, and serial forms. In many pieces, everyday actions—such as sewing or doing laundry—become two- and three-dimensional or performative activities. Central to her work is the “bottari”, a traditional Korean bed cover used to wrap and protect personal belongings, which Kimsooja transforms into a philosophical metaphor for structure and connection.
Kimsooja was born in 1957 in Taegu, Korea. She lives and works in New York, Paris and Seoul.
Combining performance, video, photo and installation, her work addresses issues of the displaced self and the other, while investigating the dualistic and existential nature of philosophy such as the relationship of yin and yang to life and death; mobility to immobility; and location to dislocation.
Kimsooja’s videos and installations blur the boundaries between aesthetics and transcendent experience through their use of repetitive actions, meditative practices, and serial forms. In many pieces, everyday actions—such as sewing or doing laundry—become two- and three-dimensional or performative activities. Central to her work is the “bottari”, a traditional Korean bed cover used to wrap and protect personal belongings, which Kimsooja transforms into a philosophical metaphor for structure and connection.
Kimsooja’s select solo exhibitions and site specific projects include: To Breathe, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Paris (2023); To Breathe, Cathedrale de Metz, Metz (2022); To Breathe, Atrium Installation, LEEUM Samsung Art Museum, Seoul, Korea (2021); Sowing into Painting, Wanås Foundation, Wanås (2020); Traversées / Kimsooja, Poitiers (2019); Kimsooja: Archive of Mind, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem (2019); Zone of Nowhere, PICA – Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Perth (2018). Her work has been included in group exhibitions such as: Clapping with Stones: Art and Acts of Resistance, Rubin Museum of Art, New York, (2019); On the Spiritual Matter of Art, MAXXI, Rome (2019); Spinning ideas. Weaving art, IVAM Institut Valencià d’Art Modern, Valencia.
Kimsooja has exhibited in major international museums and collections: Palazzo Grassi – Punta della Dogana, Venice (2023); MAXXI, Rome (2019); Peabody Essex Museum (2019); Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Chapel (2018-2019); Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (2018); Museion, Bolzano (2017); Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein (2017); Palazzo Fortuny, Venice (2017); MMCA, Seoul (2016); Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (2015); Centre Pompidou Metz (2015); Collection Lambert en Avignon (2014); Vancouver Art Gallery (2013); Museum of Modern Art St. Etienne (2012); Kunsthal 44 Møen, Denmark (2012); Perm Contemporary Art Museum, Russia (2012); Miami Art Museum (2012); Feldkirch Church and Kunstmuseum Lichtenstein (2010); National Museum of Contemporary Art Korea for the Yeong Gwang Nuclear Power Plant (2010); Atelier Hermes, Seoul (2009); Baltic Center, London (2009); Hirshhorn Museum, Washington (2008); Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa & La Fenice Theatre, Venice (2006); Crystal Palace of Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid (2006); Kunsthalle Wien (2002); Kunsthalle Bern (2002); Palazzo delle Poste, Trieste (2001); MoMA PS1, Long Island City (2001).
She has also taken part in important Biennials and Triennials: Buenos Aires (2021), New York (2020), Kassel (2017), Busan (2016, 2002), Venice (2019, 2013, 2007, 2005, 2001, 1999), Gwangju (2012, 2002, 1995), Moscow (2009), Lyon (2002), Istanbul (1997), Manifesta 1 (1996).
gallery exhibitions
images
Video Works
public exhibitions
press
Mirror image: Kimsooja’s self-reflective installations take over the French city of Poitiers
Wallpaper
October 12, 2019
Pick of the week: Kimsooja at Galleria Raffaella Cortese & Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio, Milan
ArtReview Asia
April 13, 2018
Multisala Anticrisi
Raffaella Cortese inaugura il terzo spazio in via Stradella
Il Giornale dell'Arte
September 2014
publications
video
"Icônes" a Punta della Dogana: Kimsooja
2023
Artist Kimsooja narrates her works on show at Punta della Dogana, in the exhibition "Icônes". Until 27.11.23
Kimsooja: Weaving the Light
2023
Camera: Rasmus Quistgaard Edit: Malte Bruun Fals Produced by Christian Lund Copyright Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2023. Louisiana Channel is supported by Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Ny Carlsbergfondet and C.L. Davids Fond og Samling.
Meet the Artists | Kimsooja
2020
Film: Virgile Texier Cinematography: Jules Theret Post-production: Bengale TV and Oscar Dewatz Production: Coline Milliard and Jeanne-Salomé Rochat for Art Basel
Traversées \ Kimsooja: To breathe
2019
Traversées \ Kimsooja, City of Poitiers
Kimsooja: "A Beggar Woman" & "A Homeless Woman"
2009
From Art21’s Extended Play series Video courtesy Art21, art21.org, founded 1997
Kimsooja – Bottari Truck Migrateurs
2007
Filmed by Gilles Coudert, co-prod. Musée D'Art Contemporain du Val-De-Marne (MAC/VAL)
