The Benaki Museum Shop presents Korean jewelry artist Youjin Um’s exhibition “Into the Kaleidoscope” at the Shop of Pireos 138. The jewellery designer was awarded the “Material Quests” award during Athens Jewelry Week 2020.

Youjin Um’s exhibition takes place as part of the contemporary jewelry festival Athens Jewelry Week, which this year is being reintroduced as the Jelo6 Project (February 23-37). In collaboration with the Benaki Museum Shop, Jelo6 Project gives the “Material Quests” award to artists, whose work is characterized by exceptional aesthetics, superb craftsmanship and particular artistic inspiration.

Artist statement:

“A jewelry artist based in Seoul, South Korea, Youjin Um retains childhood memories in objects and spaces. Silver, Um’s primary material, recalls for her the purity of childhood, and the piercing used in her work involves rules and repetitive actions, symbolizing the hope embodied in patience and effort. Starting with the stable structure of a hexagon, she builds a more solid and sturdy frame in the process of gradually transforming its shape.

Her work is mainly shaped like a free block as an object, and decoration is a secondary element that can fully express pendants, brooches, or various functions. It is based on her pure childhood. By creating a virtual space with a regular and stable hexagonal structure, she researched works with the meaning of pursuing the desired stability and happiness with the anxious minds of modern people. The main shape of the work is the image of her childhood memories and the images rediscovered in structures.” 

Opening: 24.02.2024, 19:00

Duration: 22.02.2024 - 24.03.2024

Pireos 138, Athens