Drawing inspiration from Buddhist philosophy, I create ethereal sculptures from human hair and other natural materials including horsehair, feathers, and plant seed fiber to explore the interconnectedness and ever-changing nature of all phenomena. These works evoke a sense of fragility, inviting viewers to reflect upon the transient nature of life. By intricately interweaving different fiber materials, I hint at the underlying interdependence of all beings, symbolizing the interwoven fabric of existence.
More recently, this exploration has evolved in my series, The Fabric of Energy, where Buddhist philosophy converges with quantum physics. In a torus, energy flows in a continuous cycle: entering from one end, circulating around the center, and exiting from the other side. This pattern suggests balance and wholeness. I use the torus shape as a visual metaphor to explore the idea of balance inherent in natural systems and the interdependence of all beings.—Jayoung Yoon
About the artist
Jayoung Yoon received her MFA in Fiber from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan in 2009 and her BFA from Hongik University in Korea in 2004. She has participated in exhibitions at The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY; San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, San Jose, CA; Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA; Hudson Valley Museum of Contemporary Art, Peekskill, NY; New Bedford Art Museum, New Bedford, MA; Here Arts Center, New York, NY; Coreana Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea, and Seoul Olympic Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea, among others.
She was the recipient of the Joan Mitchell Fellowship, Artist in the Marketplace (AIM) Fellowship from The Bronx Museum of the Arts, and the Franklin Furnace Fund. She has attended residencies at MacDowell, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Millay Arts, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and Sculpture Space. Yoon currently lives and works in Beacon, NY.
