The Living Stones

Shinhye You (b. 1993) is a South Korean artist living and working in London. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Kookmin University in South Korea between 2017 and 2020. Following this, she relocated to London and recently obtained her MA in Ceramics and Glass from the prestigious Royal College of Art. Shinhye's artistry revolves around the concept of magical realism. Each ceramic piece she crafts has a distinct narrative behind it.

Her creations are more than mere visual representations; they embody written tales that make symbolic characters come alive in our world. You's sculptures do more than merely depict stories; they initiate dialogues between the characters, readers, allegories, and the natural world. The crafting process involves assembling tiny fragments of raw clay, a traditional method that You believes necessitates effort and innate skill. The base of her sculptures adopts abstract forms that symbolize characters from her 'novels', while every minute component within reflects diverse human emotions and necessities.

In You's narrative, a fantastical realm is imagined wherein every individual, upon their demise, leaves behind a crystalline remnant. These residues, symbols of ancient life, burgeon and persist in the living world, standing as memorials for the departed. As these crystals evolve, they morph to depict the life of their former owner. Through the design and purpose of the 'organs' attached to these crystals, observers speculate about their original owners' lives.