One might argue that the days are past when fine silverware was indispensable to a cultivated lifestyle, but it is very hard to argue that the artistry of silversmiths has ever been more exciting than it is today. One of the artists at the forefront of this new energy in silversmithing is South Korean artist, Dong Hyun Kim. Kim’s conceptual vessels blur the line between sculpture and craft with bold and striking, yet sensual lines that are unquestionably contemporary, but which also evoke allusion to traditional Korean forms.

Kim graduated and is currently teaching at Kookmin University in Seoul, a program which is producing many of the top art jewelers and metalsmiths in Korea and is influencing these fields of art world-wide. Kim has received numerous awards throughout Europe and Asia, and his work has been included in hundreds of exhibitions. He was selected by the Korean government as one of the artists representing the contemporary artwork of Korea in the exhibition, “Korea NOW” at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs Paris, and he is in numerous collections, public and private.

Kim works in silver, copper, brass, nickel, and tin to create an amazing array of textures, forms, and finishes that captivate the eyes as well as the touch. He is recognized for his incredible technique and attention to detail in producing works with sleek intricate lines, as well as his focus on the tactile qualities and ergonomics of his hand-hammered tin works, which conjure association with Korean pottery vessels. His current focus is on incorporating the traditional technique of lacquering into his works, long accepted as one of the most difficult forms of craft in Korea due to its meticulous focus on a process that can produce works that can endure for hundreds of years.

School in PhD course, Graduate school of Kookmin University,
M.F.A, Dept. of Metalwork & Jewelry, Graduate school of Kookmin University
B.F.A, Dept. of Metalwork & Jewelry, College of Design, Kookmin University

2nd Solo Exhibition ‘Consideration’ / Gallery Awon, Seoul, Korea
Solo Exhibition ‘Object on Table’ / Hyun Gallery, Seoul

2017 ‘Korea NOW’ / Musee Des Arts Decoratifs Paris, Paris, France and about 90 times of group exhibition,
& about 100 times group exhibition

2015 Metalwork & Jewelry Award / Yoolizzy Craft Museum, Korea
2013 International Trade Fair – Bavarian State Prize / Germany
2010 16th Silver Triennial ‘2nd place in youth promotion’ / Germany
& others

2015 Folk arts museum, which is one of museum in China Academy of Art, Hangzou, China
2013 Jeju International Art Center, Jeju, Korea
2012 Arumjigi Culture Keepers Foundation, Seoul, Korea
2006 Die Neue Sammlung – Pinakothek der Moderne, (State Museum of Applied Arts and Design), Munich, Germany