Artist Statement
Mimi Jung expands beyond the conventional confines of the loom, aiming to transcend the traditional boundaries of the woven surface. In her sculptural and framed explorations, she delves into various facets of self-preservation, particularly as it relates to narrative identity and the manifestations of private and public self-representation through social and psychic norms.
Jung examines the role of optics and tactile experience, employing materiality to engage not only with the woven surface but also with the spaces within and behind it. Through a spectrum of varied thread densities, she invites viewers into a realm of ambiguity, fostering engagement from diverse perspectives—whether they find the compositions on the brink of completion or amidst deconstruction, obscurity, or complete exposure. Jung's objective is to evoke contemplative uncertainty, inviting viewers to dwell within the subtleties of their intuitive responses.
Her exploration of self-preservation is deeply rooted in her biography, encompassing both situational and self-imposed aspects. Jung's examination encompasses, but is not limited to, her early independence from familial dynamics and notably diverse geographical residences. Her trajectory from birth and early childhood in Seoul to core formative years in New York, along with experiences residing in other cities such as Frankfurt, Basel, and Los Angeles and currently establishing herself in rural Montana, has provided a distinctive and nuanced understanding of our responsiveness to environmental and cultural stimuli.
Jung's diverse range of loom-based works aims to offer experiences that empower viewers to guide their journey, prompting introspection into their behaviors and reactions. Her delineation of space is reflexive, offering insights discernible to those attuned to its nuances.
Mimi Jung received a BFA from Cooper Union and attended HGK Basel and Städelschule for postgraduate studies. She has mounted exhibitions throughout the United States, including Missoula Art Museum, Nina Johnson Gallery in Miami, Harper's Gallery in New York, and Helen J Gallery in Los Angeles. Her work has also been exhibited at Les Gens Heureux in Copenhagen, KIAF in Seoul, Zonamaco in Mexico City, Somerset House and Cadogan Gallery in London, and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.