SEOUL — Contemporary Korean artist Kimsooja was awarded the French Order of Arts and Letters at the rank of Officier on Wednesday during a ceremony at the French Embassy in Seoul.
Established in 1957 by the French Ministry of Culture, the prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made notable contributions to the fields of arts and literature. The order is comprised of three ranks: Chevalier, Officier, and Commandeur — with Commandeur being the highest distinction. This marks Kimsooja’s second recognition by the French government, following her appointment as Chevalier in 2017.
Born in Daegu, South Korea, in 1957, Kimsooja is internationally known for her conceptual and performance-based work involving bottari — traditional Korean cloth bundles used for wrapping and transporting belongings. By reinterpreting these everyday objects, she explores themes of memory, migration, and identity.
After studying painting at Hongik University, Kimsooja began her career as a painter but gained widespread attention in the early 1990s for her installation works incorporating fabrics such as bojagi (Korean wrapping cloth), bed covers, and old clothing. These materials are stitched and wrapped to create sculptural forms that reflect personal and collective histories.
Contemporary artist Kimsooja speaks during a ceremony for receiving the French Order of Arts and Letters at the rank of Officier at the French Embassy in Seoul on July 9. Courtesy of KIMSOOJA STUDIO
Since representing Korea at the Venice Biennale in 1993, Kimsooja has exhibited her work at major international institutions including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Documenta in Kassel, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Lyon Biennale. In France, she has held a solo exhibition at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, completed a permanent stained-glass project at Metz Cathedral, and conducted a large-scale urban art intervention in Poitiers.
In 2023, Kimsooja became the first Korean artist to receive carte blanche at the Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection in Paris, granting her full creative freedom over a major solo exhibition. The show featured “To Breathe,” a large-scale installation of 418 mirrors placed on the floor of the museum’s rotunda, along with key works including A Needle Woman and Thread Routes.
“My relationship with France began in 1984, when I received a government scholarship to study lithography at the École des Beaux-Arts,” Kimsooja said during the award ceremony. “Thanks to the continued interest and support of the French government and its art institutions, I have been able to pursue my work. I offer my heartfelt gratitude.”
The Officier title further cements Kimsooja’s status as a leading figure in the global contemporary art scene, especially in France, where her practice continues to resonate across cultural and institutional boundaries.
Sayart / Maria Kim sayart2022@gmail.com
SEOUL — Contemporary Korean artist Kimsooja was awarded the French Order of Arts and Letters at the rank of Officier on Wednesday during a ceremony at the French Embassy in Seoul.
Established in 1957 by the French Ministry of Culture, the prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made notable contributions to the fields of arts and literature. The order is comprised of three ranks: Chevalier, Officier, and Commandeur — with Commandeur being the highest distinction. This marks Kimsooja’s second recognition by the French government, following her appointment as Chevalier in 2017.
Born in Daegu, South Korea, in 1957, Kimsooja is internationally known for her conceptual and performance-based work involving bottari — traditional Korean cloth bundles used for wrapping and transporting belongings. By reinterpreting these everyday objects, she explores themes of memory, migration, and identity.
After studying painting at Hongik University, Kimsooja began her career as a painter but gained widespread attention in the early 1990s for her installation works incorporating fabrics such as bojagi (Korean wrapping cloth), bed covers, and old clothing. These materials are stitched and wrapped to create sculptural forms that reflect personal and collective histories.
Contemporary artist Kimsooja speaks during a ceremony for receiving the French Order of Arts and Letters at the rank of Officier at the French Embassy in Seoul on July 9. Courtesy of KIMSOOJA STUDIO
Since representing Korea at the Venice Biennale in 1993, Kimsooja has exhibited her work at major international institutions including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Documenta in Kassel, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Lyon Biennale. In France, she has held a solo exhibition at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, completed a permanent stained-glass project at Metz Cathedral, and conducted a large-scale urban art intervention in Poitiers.
In 2023, Kimsooja became the first Korean artist to receive carte blanche at the Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection in Paris, granting her full creative freedom over a major solo exhibition. The show featured “To Breathe,” a large-scale installation of 418 mirrors placed on the floor of the museum’s rotunda, along with key works including A Needle Woman and Thread Routes.
“My relationship with France began in 1984, when I received a government scholarship to study lithography at the École des Beaux-Arts,” Kimsooja said during the award ceremony. “Thanks to the continued interest and support of the French government and its art institutions, I have been able to pursue my work. I offer my heartfelt gratitude.”
The Officier title further cements Kimsooja’s status as a leading figure in the global contemporary art scene, especially in France, where her practice continues to resonate across cultural and institutional boundaries.
