Published October 12, 2022
Visualizing Emotions Through Clay: Jinsik Yoo’s Studio Spotlight
This Studio Spotlight takes us to Philadelphia to visit Jinsik Yoo at the Clay Studio, a nonprofit started in 1974 that serves as a beacon for ceramic arts for the entire United States. Jinsik is currently a resident artist there, splitting his time between Philadelphia and Brooklyn. In this film, we witness Jinsik making work in the Clay Studio’s recently-opened workshop space.
In discussing his artistic practice, Jinsik describes his journey to becoming an artist. After graduating from university, he worked in graphic design for larger companies - but the work felt more like coming up with answers when his real desire was to make art as a way to generate questions to explore.
His work expresses a desire to visualize emotion. As he notes in the interview, “I was obsessed with the idea that if I could see the emotion, it would be easier to find a way to figure out.”
Imagine a new story by looking at a sculpture. I want you to notice that the story is your story. It's a conversation with my work. My work will become a mirror and create new stories or memories based on what you have experienced.