Where Time Settles into Light
Jian Yoo explores how invisible flows of time and emotion take form through light, material, and space. For the artist, emotion is the most delicate trace of existence and the most private record of time.
Accumulated time, shifting emotions, and traces of experience continuously circulate, gathering, dispersing, and moving. Rather than being depicted, these flows emerge as perceptible structures. Formed from countless fragments of light, the surface holds both stillness and movement. As light and perception shift, the work continuously transforms, while time condenses and expands within it.
Mother-of-pearl functions as a language that records light and reveals change. The surface forms a field through which invisible flows take visible form, and each work becomes a site where time and emotion come into being.
Selected Projects, Commissions & Collections
• Official state gifts for heads of state (45+ countries)
– Türkiye State Visit (2025)
– Korea–US Presidential Summits (2021, 2023)
– Queen Elizabeth II, UK (2013, 2016)
– Türkiye State Visit (2025)
– Korea–US Presidential Summits (2021, 2023)
– Queen Elizabeth II, UK (2013, 2016)
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars – Global Project
• Genesis – One of One (VVIP)
• Kia – Rafael Nadal Commission
• Korean Air – ICN & LAX Lounges
• Seoul Smart City Prize – Official Trophy
• Van Cleef & Arpels – VVIP
• FRED (LVMH) – VVIP (2024–2025)
• Chanel – Karl Lagerfeld Commission
• Christian Dior – Maria Grazia Chiuri Commission
• Blancpain – VIP & Art de Vivre
• Panerai – Luminor Due / Luna
• Delvaux – VIP Event
• Cartier – Maison Cheongdam (Permanent)
• National Folk Museum of Korea (Permanent)
• Disney+ ‘Tempest’ – Art Project
• The Whoo – Imperial Youth Art & Heritage
• Sulwhasoo – VIP State Gift
• Four Seasons Hotel Seoul – OUL × Jian Yoo
• Park Hyatt Seoul – Presidential Suite
• Genesis – One of One (VVIP)
• Kia – Rafael Nadal Commission
• Korean Air – ICN & LAX Lounges
• Seoul Smart City Prize – Official Trophy
• Van Cleef & Arpels – VVIP
• FRED (LVMH) – VVIP (2024–2025)
• Chanel – Karl Lagerfeld Commission
• Christian Dior – Maria Grazia Chiuri Commission
• Blancpain – VIP & Art de Vivre
• Panerai – Luminor Due / Luna
• Delvaux – VIP Event
• Cartier – Maison Cheongdam (Permanent)
• National Folk Museum of Korea (Permanent)
• Disney+ ‘Tempest’ – Art Project
• The Whoo – Imperial Youth Art & Heritage
• Sulwhasoo – VIP State Gift
• Four Seasons Hotel Seoul – OUL × Jian Yoo
• Park Hyatt Seoul – Presidential Suite
Selected Exhibitions
• Frieze New York – The Whoo Lounge (2025)
• Homo Faber – Venice (2024)
• UNESCO Headquarters – Paris (2022)
• Abu Dhabi Art (2025)
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars – Solo Exhibition (2021–2023)
• National Folk Museum of Korea (2022, 2023)
• The Korea Society – Solo Exhibition, New York
• Downtown Design Dubai (2019, 2021, 2023)
• Tower Club Singapore – Solo Exhibition (2023)
• Korean Cultural Center – Paris / Rome / Budapest
• Museo Diocesano di Albano – Italy (2017)
• Lotte Hotel Seoul – Solo Exhibition (2023)
• Sofitel Ambassador Seoul (2025)
• Andaz Seoul Gangnam – Solo Exhibition (2023)
• Homo Faber – Venice (2024)
• UNESCO Headquarters – Paris (2022)
• Abu Dhabi Art (2025)
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars – Solo Exhibition (2021–2023)
• National Folk Museum of Korea (2022, 2023)
• The Korea Society – Solo Exhibition, New York
• Downtown Design Dubai (2019, 2021, 2023)
• Tower Club Singapore – Solo Exhibition (2023)
• Korean Cultural Center – Paris / Rome / Budapest
• Museo Diocesano di Albano – Italy (2017)
• Lotte Hotel Seoul – Solo Exhibition (2023)
• Sofitel Ambassador Seoul (2025)
• Andaz Seoul Gangnam – Solo Exhibition (2023)
