Where Time Settles into Light
Jian Yoo explores how invisible emotions and the flow of time can remain as traces and structures.
Countless fragments of light form a continuous flow, densely revealing layers of the inner self shaped by accumulated time and experience across the surface. This flow extends into sensation and memory, relationships and environment, and is translated by the artist into sculptural elements such as the ocean, the cosmos, and flowers.
“The exploration of a material’s inherent nature is, for me, a way of looking inward. Within the flow of time and the many environments that surround me, calm yet dynamic energies begin to stir, unfolding into small fragments.”
Within the work, mother-of-pearl functions as a singular language that records light. Formed over long spans of time, its radiance firmly fixes inner elements into visible form. The rhythmic waves of light moving across the surface are the condensed result of emotion and time—an afterimage that continues to linger even after one has moved on.
Countless fragments of light form a continuous flow, densely revealing layers of the inner self shaped by accumulated time and experience across the surface. This flow extends into sensation and memory, relationships and environment, and is translated by the artist into sculptural elements such as the ocean, the cosmos, and flowers.
“The exploration of a material’s inherent nature is, for me, a way of looking inward. Within the flow of time and the many environments that surround me, calm yet dynamic energies begin to stir, unfolding into small fragments.”
Within the work, mother-of-pearl functions as a singular language that records light. Formed over long spans of time, its radiance firmly fixes inner elements into visible form. The rhythmic waves of light moving across the surface are the condensed result of emotion and time—an afterimage that continues to linger even after one has moved on.
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)
