Heejoo Kim

Heejoo Kim’s brooch balances organic delicacy with sculptural precision. Composed of intricately woven leather and copper, the piece evokes botanical structures without directly imitating them, favoring a poetic abstraction that invites contemplation. The left half, constructed from pale pastel scales in soft green, lilac, and cream, appears almost petal-like, while the right half’s linear, darkened copper elements suggest branching growth or root forms hardened by time. Together, these forms create a dynamic interplay of texture, color, and rhythm.

This brooch embodies Kim’s sensitivity to material and form, drawing on her background in both Korean and European design education. The juxtaposition of supple leather and rigid metal alludes to natural cycles of germination, transformation, and decay. In this way, the work functions not only as adornment but as a quiet meditation on the structure and resilience of life.