Jihyun Kim is a ceramic designer from South Korea who melds tradition with enchantment in her craft. Jihyun’s creations beautifully blend sculptural and functional elements, inspired by her cultural heritage and nature’s mystical aspects.
Her exploration of organic forms, especially fungi, infuses her pieces with magical narratives, inviting viewers to discover magic in the mundane.
The Salty Fairy Ring series was inspired by Jihyun’s grandmother’s ritual of placing a small ceramic jar filled with salt near the entrance of their South Korean home. This jar was believed to prevent negative energy and evil spirits from entering the household, and it is a widely held belief and superstition in South Korea.
Jihyun merged this tradition with the enchanting properties of fairy rings, which are circular formations of mushrooms that have been interpreted in various ways throughout history.
Drawing inspiration from these two sources, Jihyun created a series of salt containers, aptly named Salty Fairy Ring, which embody a sense of wonder and magic.
