Riyoo Kim 《黒艶線刻和脳坊》2023, 20.0× 20.0×25.0cm, Ceramic

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Riyoo Kim　creates mysterious sculptures that gleam with metallic brilliance. His works evoke ancient artifacts while merging with futuristic visions, captivating attention in both contemporary art and craft realms. His creations traverse the boundaries of past and future, inviting us to explore the allure of Riyoo Kim's art.

Riyoo Kim: Blending Tradition of Jomon Pottery with Modern Elements

Riyoo Kim 《秘赫彩線刻鳳鎧入道》2023, 41.0×35.0×84.0cm, Ceramic

Riyoo Kim draws inspiration from ancient ritual artifacts like Jomon pottery and bronze vessels. Beyond his respect for ancient creators, he skillfully incorporates modern elements such as sci-fi movies, robot animations, street culture, and music. His works, with their simple forms and futuristic metallic textures, instantly transport viewers into a parallel world where past and future intersect, creating a unique and unparalleled artistic vision.

The Human Body and Vessels: Hidden Charms in Riyoo Kim's Art

Riyoo Kim's artwork, eye detail

A central theme in Riyoo Kim's work is the "human body," reflected in how he names parts of his ceramic pieces after human anatomy. For example, the opening of a vase is called the "mouth" (kuchi), the neck is the "neck" (kubi), the handles are "ears" (mimi), and the bulbous parts are "shoulders" (kata), "body" (dou), and "hips" (koshi). Inspired by the ancient tradition of likening ceramic parts to human anatomy, Kim weaves the relationship between humans and vessels into his creations.

Among these, Kim's fascination with "eyes" is particularly notable. He often employs a technique of creating holes in his works to represent eyes. These hollow eyes stare sharply, prompting viewers to experience being "watched," transforming the act of viewing into a more interactive and reciprocal engagement.

Riyoo Kim's Path to Becoming a Ceramic Artist

Riyoo Kim

Originally aspiring to be a painter, Riyoo Kim discovered his true passion for ceramics during university after encountering the "Andoji Ruins Water Smoke Pattern Pottery" at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art. He recalls, “It was like discovering a sci-fi world in clay—so thrilling it made me tremble.” This encounter inspired him to create works with enduring qualities, much like the ancient ceramics.

Kim’s work draws from ancient ritual artifacts but is infused with modern sensibilities. In his quest for contemporary patterns akin to Jomon pottery, he found inspiration in electronic circuits. The intricate interplay of electronic components and wiring has influenced the mystical patterns in his ceramics. His unique glazing and firing techniques result in a metallic texture, blending ancient beauty with modern technology.

Riyoo Kim's Expanding Global Presence

Riyoo Kim 《無垢彩線刻坊／Portrait [FLeW2023004EYE]》2024, 16.0×16.0×18.8, Ceramic

Riyoo Kim's works are highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally. His pieces are part of permanent collections at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and the Imura Museum, among others. He has also participated in solo exhibitions in Japan and events such as the Yokohama Triennale, as well as various international exhibitions and art fairs in Korea, Hong Kong, France, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, and more.

Recently, he has introduced a series of unglazed works that explore the potential of Shigaraki clay. These pieces, with their natural sandy textures and warm tones adorned with modern decoration patterns, quietly yet unmistakably assert their presence. As a bridge connecting the ancient, the contemporary, and the future, Riyoo Kim continues to offer new perspectives in contemporary art.

Riyoo Kim Exhibition | Whitestone Gallery

Don’t just imagine Riyoo Kim’s art—experience it. Browse his stunning ceramic works online and see the fusion of ancient tradition and modern flair.

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