Jinsuk Yoon
Clockmaker artist
Jinsuk is a "clockmaker" artist, renowned for his unique method of storytelling through the depiction of clocks. His artworks serve as portals through time and history. By weaving intricate narratives and landscapes around various timepieces, Jinsuk invites viewers on a journey that explores different eras and the passage of time itself, infusing each scene with a sense of temporal depth and historical resonance.
Exhibitions
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8 solo exhibitions
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100 group exhibitions
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12 art fairs
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1 biennale (Cheongju Craft Biennale 2023)
Awards and recognitions
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1st place, Hana Art Bus Competition by Hana Financial Group (2023)
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2nd place, Art Brut Competition by Kookmin Ilbo (2022)
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3rd place, 12th JW Art Award, JW Academic Welfare Foundation
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4th place, 30th Korea Disabled Art Competition (202)
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And many others (total of 21 awards)
Link
Celebrating MLK Day
Martin Luther King Jr. and My Clock Diary
24” W x 29” H | Acrylic and bricolage on canvas | 2023
"Martin Luther King, Jr. and My Clock Diary" is Jinsuk's artistic homage for the celebration of MLK Day. This piece incorporates the theme of clocks to explore and honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The colors on MLK's face represent the diversity of race and the spirit of equality that King advocated for. The patterns and hues of MLK's attire symbolize his dream of a world free from discrimination.
The clock, set at 11:30, holds personal significance for Jinsuk, symbolizing the most comforting time of day for him - a moment of refuge, healing, and stability. Through his art, Jinsuk also finds the courage to progress in life, drawing parallel strength from the courage and hope that King instilled in many.
This artwork not only reflects Jinsuk’s admiration for MLK’s accomplishments but also embodies his journey of learning about MLK’s life and his aspiration to impact the world positively. Additionally, Jinsuk aims to support other artists with developmental disabilities, showing solidarity and extending the message of hope and inclusion that MLK championed.
The Times of Martin Luther King, Jr.
18" W x 21" H | Acrylic on canvas | 2023
"The Times of Martin Luther King, Jr." is Jinsuk's resonant contribution to the MLK Day celebrations, echoing the themes established in his earlier work, "Martin Luther King, Jr. and My Clock Diary."
In this piece, the colors adorning MLK's face continue to represent diversity and equality, while the colors and patterns of his clothes illustrate his dream of freedom and justice. The clocks in the background hold a personal significance for Jinsuk; they mark the different times and places of his life since childhood. Each clockface - set at times like 12:30, 2:30, and 6:30 - encapsulates a memory, capturing the specific feelings Jinsuk experienced at those moments.
The artwork contemplates the numerous places and times MLK spoke to crowds, experiencing a range of emotions - from excitement and happiness to sadness, frustration, and worry. These experiences contributed to shaping the world we inhabit today - one striving towards equality and freedom. This artwork, through Jinsuk's favored motif of clocks, celebrates MLK’s influence on humanity and serves as a tribute to the lasting legacy of his words and actions.
Celebrating Independence Day
Time Travel across Epochs of Liberty
61cm W x 73cm H | Acrylic on canvas | 2024
The canvas becomes a temporal crossroad where pivotal moments of freedom converge. It celebrates July 4th, 1776, America's Independence Day, alongside Korea's Liberation Day on August 15th, 1945. In a vibrant melding of history, the artwork features the first President of the United States, George Washington, a key figure in the American Revolution, juxtaposed with symbolic representations of freedom: the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, resonant symbols of America's quest for independence. These elements interweave with Korean cultural motifs to create a tapestry honoring the parallel joys and struggles for sovereignty of both nations.
Artist's description of the artwork
This artwork pays homage to Korea's rich history of independence movements, notably the March 1st Movement of 1919, and to Yu Gwan-sun, a revered activist who sacrificed her life for the nation's liberty. The Independence Gate built to commemorate Korea's fight for sovereignty, and the national flower, the Hibiscus syriacus (Mugunghwa), symbolize resilience and patience. Accompanying these is the Magnolia, representing the waiting and hope inherent in Korea’s journey to freedom.
I've also depicted a cherished element - clocks, which serve as a personal signature in my work. The clock in this painting is one from a place I visited in my youth, its hands pointing to different times, each representing the diverse and significant periods of struggle and passion experienced by figures like George Washington and Yu Gwan-sun in their respective battles for independence.
These clocks symbolize the precious moments that have collectively allowed us to live in today's world of freedom - a privilege for which I am profoundly grateful.
Moreover, the sun and the moon are not merely symbols of day and night but are representative of the deep wishes and prayers for independence. The West looks to the sun while the East prays to the moon, hence the presence of both a sundial and a moondial in the artwork, interwoven with my signature clocks to signify the timeless desire for liberty.
Illuminating Liberty: A Modern Tribute
46cm W x 53cm H | Acrylic, bricolage on canvas | 2024
This piece reimagines the Statue of Liberty, an enduring symbol of freedom, democracy, and the revolutionary ideals of the United States. It features the torch, a beacon of reason's light illuminating the world; a book inscribed with the date of America's Independence Day; and a crown with seven spikes representing the spread of freedom across the seven seas and continents. The artwork is infused with the hope that the liberty, independence, and peace achieved by the United States will continue to radiate globally. The New York skyline, a clock (an iconic symbol for the artist), and excerpts from the Declaration of Independence in both Korean and English emerge in the background, reinforcing the universal allure of freedom. The artwork awakens the values of liberty and an optimistic future for a better life, resonating worldwide with its message. There is also a heartfelt wish by the artist to one day witness the Statue of Liberty in New York in person.
Other representative artworks by the artist
