Artist Kimsooja Promoted to 'Officer'
Rank in French Cultural Order ©Studio Kimsooja
Renowned Korean artist Kimsooja was awarded
the Officier (Officer) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and
Letters) by the French government on July 9 at the French Ambassador’s
residence in Seoul. This marks her second French cultural honor, following the
Chevalier distinction she received in 2017.
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is
awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and
literature or to the promotion of French culture around the world. The honor is
divided into three ranks: Commandeur (Commander), the highest; Officier; and
Chevalier.
Kimsooja, Bottari Truck – Migrateurs, 2007, Performance video, 9min 17sec. ©Studio Kimsooja
Currently working between Seoul and France,
Kimsooja is known for her boundary-crossing practice that spans painting,
sewing, installation, performance, video, light and sound, and architecture.
She is internationally acclaimed for her ‘Bottari’ series—installations that
wrap furniture and used clothing in traditional Korean cloth, bojagi. These
works have earned her the nickname “the Bottari artist” around the world.
Installation view of 《Kimsooja: To Breathe – Constellation》 (Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, 2024). Image provided by Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection. . © Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, Niney et Marca Architectes, agence Pierre-Antoine Gatier. Photo : Florent Michel / 11h45 / Pinault Collection
The artist first studied lithography at the
prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in France in 1984, which marked the beginning
of over 40 years of artistic activity in France. Last year, she became the
first Korean artist to be invited as a Carte Blanche artist at the Bourse de
Commerce – Pinault Collection, a private contemporary art museum in Paris,
where she held a solo exhibition.
