Concept reflecting identity in the artwork of Kim Soo-Ja

Abstract

The paper focuses on the concepts of artistic creations that reflect the identity of South Korean female artist Kim Soo-ja. To explore her concepts and artworks, the researcher uses the theory of conceptual art that involves space and boundary to study and analyze her installations. The scope is her works from 1993 to 2018 when Kim Soo-ja's art is significantly engaged with Korean society and its culture. Her artworks from that time include Deductive Object (1993), Sewing into Walking - dedicated to the victims of Kwangju (1995), Cities on The Move (1997), and A Mirror Woman: The Ground of Nowhere (2003). Two concepts are found from four artworks. The first group is artworks related to her identity and self. In this group, her works are mainly involved with her personal experiences. They represent her uniqueness and led to the definition of Kim Soo-ja's art afterward. The second group is artworks related to significant events in society. In this group, she expresses her opinions about the events, both historical events and other events that widely affect the whole society. As an artist, she uses art as a medium of expression for the ideal society. Most of the works are tied to the concept of space and boundary, resulting in a large number of site-specific works. She combines the differences of spaces and cultures in her art.