5in x 62in x 5in
Yellow Heart, Walnut, bleached Box Elder stones
A visual reflection on my life and identity as a Korean American.
statement:
My work explores the quiet beauty that emerges when order is drawn from chaos. Through close observation of the natural world, I am drawn to the spaces that both connect and separate us like the rise and fall of the ocean, the gathering of stones, the distance between trees, and the small fissures where life takes hold. These moments become the foundation for reliefs, sculpture, and studio furniture that translate organic forms into measured, geometric compositions.
Working primarily in wood, I engage a material shaped by both control and unpredictability. Its organic warmth and inherent tension mirror the complexity of human connection, allowing structure and intuition to coexist within each piece. Through careful abstraction and layering, I distill natural forms into compositions that emphasize balance, restraint, and material presence, inviting sustained contemplation rather than immediate consumption.
At its core, my practice is rooted in a belief that art can offer moments of rest and reflection in an increasingly fragmented world. The work functions as an act of reconciliation, bridging solitude and community, past and present, loss and hope. By engaging beauty not as ornament, but as a means of connection, I aim to create work that fosters quiet transcendence and a sense of shared humanity.
bio:
Jill Kyong is a Korean-born American artist working in sculptural wall reliefs, sculpture, and studio furniture. Born in South Korea and currently living and working in Washington State, Kyong’s practice explores the balance between structure and organic form, drawing inspiration from the rhythms and quiet order of the natural world.
Her work has been exhibited nationally in solo, group, and juried exhibitions, and presented at major art fairs including the Seattle Art Fair with multiple galleries. Kyong’s work is held in public collections including the Boise Art Museum, the Jundt Art Museum, and Paine Field Airport, and has been recognized with awards such as the Juror’s Award from the Boise Art Museum Triennial.
Working primarily in wood, Kyong creates layered, geometric compositions that emphasize depth, light, and material presence. Through a process that balances precision with intuition, her work invites contemplation and offers moments of calm and reflection. Positioned between sculpture, architecture, and design, her practice reflects a belief in art’s ability to foster connection and provide hope in contemporary life.
Kyong holds an MFA from the University of Idaho and a BFA from the University of Minnesota. She is represented by The Art Spirit Gallery and SlipStitch Studio.