Minhee Kim

1987, Seoul (South Korea)

My longstanding fascination with stones has inspired me to explore their profound historical significance. When I encounter a site replete with coarse stones, it conjures a sense of the past that eludes my personal experience, a universe brimming with the potential to uncover providence and the natural history that underpins it. Through the accumulation of time, stones offer a portal into a realm of countless unanswered questions. As such, my works serve as a testament to the times, incorporating motifs that narrate the stories of events, phenomena, and people. I harness stones as a material to capture the inscrutable nature of the world, and the experiences of those who inhabit it. By engraving the memories, moments, and fleeting records that would otherwise vanish, I imbue stone with a tangible link to history. In my efforts to recreate stones with silicone or plaster, I strive to translate the temporal, historic, and narrative power of the stone into the present moment.

 As I contemplate the devastating impact of climate change, I am motivated to explore the relationship between humans and the environment in a poetic fashion. I seek to examine the fleeting nature of all life, where both humans and stones are but transitory fragments that return to the soil after death. My aim is to convey that even the most massive stones succumb to the relentless flow of time. I aspire to create a scene that is difficult to articulate through words, one that is meditatively constructed through the artist's interaction with stone, time, and space. Ultimately, I yearn to delve deeper into the natural universe by sculpting stones directly rather than relying on artificially made materials.

Residency report

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the transformative experience I had during the residency program at CIS. My time in Peccia was truly extraordinary, providing an environment that fueled my creative spirit and expanded the horizons of my artistic practice.

In the heart of Peccia, where the echoes of timeless stone resonate, my artistic journey took an unexpected turn. Standing at the intersection of my comfort zone and the formidable world of stone carving, I found myself in uncharted territory. Truth be told, I had never carved stone before coming to Peccia. Despite my lack of prior knowledge, I was able to explore the materiality of stone freely and discover various possibilities for my work. Carving through the layers of accumulated time on stone was no easy task, yet the joy derived from it was so immense that I couldn’t bring myself to stop, even if it meant holding the grinder and chisels for 8 to 10 hours a day.

The enchanting surroundings of Peccia, with its natural wonders, proved to be an endless source of inspiration. It had a profound effect on me, leading me to abandon my previous artistic concepts and immerse myself fully in the rich tapestry of nature. The rooted time, unique character of the place, its history, and memories all became integral elements of my work, pushing me to explore new dimensions in my artistic expression.

As an artist accustomed to working independently in mediums like drawing, painting, and textiles, working and living with fellow artists exposed me to diverse backgrounds, ways of thinking, and working styles. Each artist served as a valuable stone-carving teacher for me, and the supportive atmosphere encouraged me to challenge the approaches to work and thinking.

Working in Peccia felt like a surreal dream—the perfect place to carve stone, where the very essence of the material originates. The infrastructure at CIS was impeccable, providing the ideal conditions to transform my ideas into reality. Behind this perfection, I am deeply grateful to the numerous supporters—fellow artists, technician, exceptional directors, administrative staff, and even the welcoming neighbours. Their collective effort made my life in Peccia comfortable and allowed me to focus entirely on my artistic journey. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity.

Thank you once again for this life-changing experience. I carry the lessons learned and the memories forged at CIS with me into my future artistic endeavours.