Jin Eui Kim is an internationally renowned ceramic artist. Originally from South Korea, he now lives with his family in Cardiff, UK.
Whilst at Cardiff School of Art & Design Kim studied the illusory effects of the application of tonal bands to three-dimensional surfaces. He graduated with a MA and PhD in Ceramics. He works from his studio at Fireworks Clay Studios, Cardiff.
Jin Eui Kim’s work has been seen across the world, notably at ArtXchange in the USA, and Galerie du Don in France. In 2016 he received no fewer than four awards including Homes & Gardens Designer Awards. Manchester Art Gallery and The National Museum (Wales) have both purchased his works recently for their permanent collections.
He says of his work,
“My work explores how the perception of three-dimensional ceramic forms can be manipulated by the application of tonal bands (18 different tones from light as white to dark as black) on their surfaces. Illusory spatial phenomena can appear and thus significantly influence the actual three-dimensional forms through the arrangement of the bands by using gradient in tone, width and interval between bands. The duration of the viewer’s attention, physical position and tone or colour of the background are also crucial influencing factors for the appearance of illusions.
Wheel-thrown and brushed 18 tones of engobes, D:18cm×H:19cm, 2016
I work in between the concepts of illusion and reality and my work attracts viewers by visual phenomena as well as physical confusions appearing on the surface of the ceramic. Restricting or removing data (information) on the surface increases the chance of the viewer’s perception shifting between illusion and reality. Looking with half closed eyes, in the darker light and with distance, brings the illusion to life for me.”
