-
Title
-
Komelia Hongja Okim
-
Description
-
Born 1939, Seoul, Korea
Komelia Hongja Okim is a Korean-born artist whose distinguished career bridges tradition and innovation in metalwork. Komelia Hongja Okim trained under the renowned metalsmith Alma Eikerman at Indiana University. “...her work reflects her national heritage and her use of Korean inlay, and keum boo, attatchments of fine gold foil to a fine silver surface by burnishing/heat to create a transparent effect that still permits the matrix to show through. Her more Western jewelry shows the influence of her mentor.” (Exhibition Reviews, 2017). Okim has developed a practice deeply rooted in her Korean heritage while also embracing the technical and conceptual influences of Western contemporary art. Her work blends ideologies from different cultures from the West and the East, bringing to light the differences and the harmonies.
Okim immigrated to the United States in 1963 and has been a prominent figure in the metalsmithing community for over three decades. One scholar's review of her exhibit lists that “large and small sculptures, vessels and boxes, as well as jewelry, reflect the artist's maturity and skill, both in its quality of design and impeccable craftsmanship” (Isaacs 1994, 49). She is listed to use materials of silver, gold, and copper. As well as making jewelry, vessels, and sculptures. When exhibited together, these three bodies of work create a compelling dialogue, highlighting the continuity and refinement in Okim’s artistic language.
One piece of work to highlight from Komelia Hongja Okim is her food container titled “One Fine Day”. This dry food container is divided into nine sections and is made out of fine and sterling silver using “mild steel setting construction oxidizing,” with a “sumac ottchil coating finish.” (Komelia Okim, 2020). Fine and sterling silver, mild steel” depicts the description of her fine craftsmanship with the addition of her heritage, combined with modern refinement. (Komelia Okim, 2020). Komelia Hongja Okim’s art celebrates form, texture, and heritage, revealing a mature vision that unites East and West.
-
Alternative Title
-
Komelia Hongja Okim: "One Fine Day." Nine-section dry-food container. 2016. Jjoeum ipsa and ottchil, raising, forming, texturing, casting lily flower buds as prongs, Korean damascene on mild steel, setting, constructing, oxidizing, sumac ottchil coating finish. Fine and sterling silver, mild steel. 8" x 27" x 25"
-
Source
-
“Vessels.” Komelia Okim. Accessed April 24, 2025. https://www.komeliaokim.com/tableware?pgid=jklf63ei-1783d798-6c47-43a4-803c-1392105d4f65
Image 1 citation
Isaacs, J. Susan. 1994. “Komelia Hongja Okim.” Metalsmith 14 (2): 49. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=57c6654e-6a8c-367a-a828-7d843621d331
RKL. 1986. "EXHIBITION REVIEWS: New Works in Silver & Gold by Komelia Hongja Okim." Ornament (Archive: 1979-2005), Mar 01, 27. https://login.union.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/magazines/exhibition-reviews-new-works-silver-gold-komelia/docview/1459675991/se-2.
Image 2:
U.S. Department of State. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://art.state.gov/personnel/komelia_okim/.
-
Name
-
Seamus Foley
