Growing up in South Korea, Sophia Kim would walk by a long row of birch trees on her way to school that still sticks with her today. “I was mesmerized by them: they seemed to talk to me,” says the now Vancouver-based ceramics artist.

Sophia Kim’s work is on permanent display at the gallery. To see more of her work go to our online SHOP.

“Art in all mediums has a power of transformation. Clay, for me, has a unique capability. I have explored different facets of clay while studying at Emily Carr University. The inspirations of working with clay, the texture of reliefs and cut outs are energizing. Throwing clay on the potter's wheel, in particular, can be addictive as it is quiet and personal; it is like a meditation for me as I have to centre myself before I can centre the clay. Trees has been my obsession for a long time. My fascination on tree barks started while taking pictures of textures of birch, oak, pine and cedar trees in Pacific Northwest. I have been mesmerized that they all seem to have scars on their barks, and try to tell us their stories with callus, I watchfully listen to their stories to share botanic exquisiteness beyond cicatrix.”

–Sophia Kim