Youkyeong Oh
South Korea, b. 1979
Biography
Oh Yukyoung (b. 1979, Korea) is a contemporary South Korean installation and sculpture artist whose practice investigates the intricate interactions and cyclical systems binding nature, humanity, and objects. Operating under the philosophy that "nothing stands completely alone," Oh reconfigures ephemeral, mundane, or discarded materials into immersive environments that explore relationality, coexistence, and material transformation. Oh studied Environmental Sculpture at the University of Seoul before graduating from the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) in Paris. This dual background infuses her work with both a rigorous understanding of public space and the conceptual depth of the avant-garde. Utilizing everyday items and elemental matter—such as paper cups, salt, and crystals—she aggregates fragile components into expansive formations to visualize the dialectical processes of proliferation, growth, and obsolescence. Her distinguished career features acclaimed solo exhibitions at Space K, Art Sohyang, and Chapter II, alongside major institutional group showcases including the Gangwon International Triennale and the Amorepacific Museum of Art (APMA). Extending her environmental commitment into design, Oh also leads the upcycling brand STUDIO OHYUKYOUNG. A notable cross-disciplinary milestone includes her high-profile collaboration with Amorepacific, where she spearheaded a sustainable initiative transforming discarded corporate uniforms into functional, aesthetically refined cushions. Through this holistic integration of art, design, and activism, Oh seamlessly bridges the gap between artistic contemplation and ecological daily living.
