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So Young Park

Jeweller
Published: 26.02.2024

Bio

So Young Park is originally from South Korea. At an early age, she found interest in the arts and concentrated in fine art painting at an art high school. She earned a BFA and a MFA from Kon Kuk University in South Korea in 1999 and received her second MFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2003. After finish school, she taught metalsmithing at Syracuse University and RIT from 2003 to 2007 as an adjunct. In 2006, So Young decided to start her career as a jewelry artist. She has also taught at many workshops throughout the United States and South Korea. Currently, she is running her own jewelry and metals studio called So Young Park Studio. She is actively participating in shows and exhibitions in United State as a jewelry and metalsmithing artist.

Statement

So Young Park had a tragic experience involving her several friend deaths since her middle school. In Asia, Buddhism believes a transmigration. People who believe Buddhism hope when their family or friend died, the person will be born again into another new body. The human nativity can be regarded as the sprouting of new life comparable to the blooming of a flower from death during winter to the newborn in spring. From an atheistic point view, perennial nature reveals the beauty of the eternal cycles of life.

So Young Park jewelry pieces express the power of life through organic plant forms and sea lives. Most of her jewelry pieces are assembled through the harmonic use of wires, hammered textures, and hand engraved patterns metal pieces creating, elegant, yet unusual visual forms.  The use of wires, beads, and other small elements represent the single cells that make up all life. Each piece contributes to long and painful process to create a beautiful piece, a beautiful life. The wires on her jewelry assist in narrating the story of a blooming and sprouting nativity.

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Events      View / hide events

2024:
Exhibition  19 Nov 2024 - 23 Nov 2024  Earrings Galore by Heidi Lowe Gallery in NYCJW.
2023:
Exhibition  25 May 2023 - 29 Jun 2023  Heirlooms of the Future II: To Cherish & Treasure.
2022:
Exhibition  11 Nov 2022 - 25 Nov 2022  Ars Longa. Medicine and Art, An Endless Journey for Human Healing.
2018:
Exhibition  24 Apr 2018 - 19 May 2018  Claudio Pino at Pearls Redefined.
2017:
Workshop  29 Nov 2017 - 30 Nov 2017  Lecture and workshop.
Sung-Shin Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea
Exhibition  03 Nov 2017 - 05 Nov 2017  Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show.
The carter center, Atlanta, GA
Exhibition  02 Nov 2017 - 05 Nov 2017  SOFA Chicago 2017.
Aaron Faber Gallery

Publications      View / hide publications

Book:  Art Jewelry Today 4. Sandra Korinchak.  2016
Book:  500 art necklaces. Linda DartyLark Books:  2013
Magazine:  So Young Park. Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist:  2012
Featured cover and article.
Magazine:  So Young Park. Indesign Magazine:  2011
Catalogue:  SOFA Chicago Catalog. 2010
Catalogue:  SOFA New York Catalog. 2010
Book:  Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop. Mary HettmanspergerLark Jewelry Books:  2010
Book:  500 gemstone jewels. Linda DartyLark Books:  2009
Book:  Art Jewelry Today 2. Jeffrey B.Sunyder:  2008
Book:  500 wedding rings. Linda DartyLark Books:  2008
Book:  Modern Jewelry from Modular Parts. Marthe Le VanLark Jewelry Books:  2007
Book:  The Art and Crafts of Making Jewlary. Joanna GollbergLark Books:  2006
Book:  500 Brooches. Linda DartyLark Books:  2005
Untitled Brooch
Book:  1000 Rings. Linda DartyLark Books:  2004
Sprouting l and Vitality.