Kay Um

Kay Um is a Korean-born visual artist based in Chicago. She holds both a B.F.A. (1994) and an M.F.A. (1997) in Sculpture from Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea. Rooted in her experiences of migration, womanhood, and cultural transition, Um’s artistic practice explores the relationship between personal memory, materiality, and transformation.

Working with materials such as tree bark and mother-of-pearl, as well as techniques including kintsugi, she brings together traditional craftsmanship and contemporary sculptural forms. Her work reflects on resilience, continuity, and the evolving nature of identity, while inviting broader reflections on human experience and perception.

Her work has been exhibited in South Korea and the Chicago area, including at the Bridgeport Art Center and the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago.