Kim Min-wook South Korea, b. 1978
“I mull over the discoveries and observations. I clear my mind and focus on wood, hoping that I can reveal my thoughts and the path I should take through the medium. Once determined, there is only chance and no going back.”
Born, lives, and works in Busan, South Korea, Kim Min-wook is a self-taught woodturner who has been honing his craft since 2013. He is deeply drawn to wood that bears the marks of time—weathered textures, tree rings, and traces of woodworms—embracing these natural imperfections as part of the material’s evolving narrative.
Kim’s practice is rooted in a deep respect for process. Working with a lathe, he carefully shapes each piece before allowing it to dry naturally, letting the wood shift and settle over time. Where cracks or warping occur, he may intervene to restore balance, yet his focus remains on preserving the material’s innate qualities. His work is an exploration of nature’s imprint, revealing beauty in imperfection and transformation.
Reflecting this ethos, he has titled his collection Busan, honoring the city where he was born and continues to create. His approach has earned him significant recognition, including the Lexus Creative Masters Award in Seoul (2019) and selection as a finalist for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize (2022).
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Collect
Fair 28 Feb - 2 Mar 2025Lloyd Choi Gallery at Collect 2025 Lloyd Choi Gallery is proud to present a curated selection of works by seven exceptional Korean artists, each showcasing the rich heritage and innovative spirit of Korean art and design. Among them, Minwook Kim, a Loewe Craft Prize finalist, unveils his groundbreaking ceramics, while...Read more -
Guided by Nature
Exhibition 7 - 17 Oct 2024A synergistic exhibition showcasing the finest South Korean craftmanship from Gallery Lloyd Choi, set against the backdrop of Cox London’s nature-inspired, sculptural collection of lighting, furniture, and objects. This partnership honours the flow state harnessed by craftspeople guided by the wisdom of nature. Cox London creations emerge from a state...Read more -
Hidden Gem
Exhibition 15 - 19 May 2024Often, beauty is discovered in the simplicity and serenity of small details. It exists in the nuances of craftsmanship and the precision of execution. ‘Hidden Gem’ presents Korean artists who demonstrate the subtlety of Korean craft, centring their practice around materiality and process. During the last imperial dynasty of Korea...Read more
