Known for her labor-intensive sculptural work of discarded objects, Jean Shin’s work is both retinal and conceptual. Her accumulations underscore a connection between craft and industry. Her elaborate displays of castaway objects connect us to everyday life because they are both individualistic and universal. By placing artistic meaning onto seemingly everyday objects, the viewer is offered a contemplative space that is both meaningful and mesmerizing.
In her series created at Dieu Donné, the flesh-colored paper alludes to the body, while the zippers make reference to elements of clothing; the individual and universal. The forms suggest the body in a state of flux, constantly shifting or mutating. The flat sheets of handmade paper can be zipped up, altering the shape of the piece and creating a three-dimensional form.
One-on-one collaboration with master technician was the most rewarding… Loved the process and concept of papermaking from its origin in fiber to its endless possibilities as an end product. It gave me new ideas for other sculptural projects that I want to explore. This was my first time working in paper but hopefully not my last…
—Jean Shin, 2004
Born in Seoul, South Korea (1971), Jean Shin received a BFA in Painting and MS in Art History and Criticism from Pratt Institute.
