The Skin of a Tree: Jina Shin Explores Humanity’s Resilience Through Performance and Installation
Jason Yim / Published November 21, 2024 01:24 AM
Jason Yim
Skin of a Tree 4, 2023, Courtesy of COSMO40
Korean artist Jina Shin’s solo exhibition The Skin of a Tree will be unveiled at COSMO40 in Incheon from November 30 to December 13, 2024. Supported by the Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Cultural Foundation through the 2024 Art Creation Life Support Project, this exhibition marks a profound exploration of resilience and renewal through an innovative fusion of visual art and performance.
Drawing inspiration from the regenerative properties of tree bark, Shin connects this natural process to the human skin, presenting a metaphor for vitality and healing. The exhibition takes an immersive approach: performers clad in specially designed costumes are hidden throughout the gallery space, inviting visitors to seek them out. This interaction fosters an intimate engagement with the artwork, transforming the gallery into a living, breathing space of reflection and connection.
Skin of a Tree 3, 2023, Courtesy of COSMO40
Thematically, the project resonates deeply with historical and contemporary narratives of survival. Shin reflects on the experience of individuals who were forced into hiding during times of war, extending her metaphor of protective bark to all who have endured trauma. Through The Skin of a Tree, she aspires to offer a symbolic shield—a reminder of the skin’s capacity to heal and protect, not just physically but emotionally.
Jina Shin, a graduate of the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart, Germany, and Kyung Hee University in Seoul, has established herself as an artist of international repute. Her works, spanning solo and group exhibitions across Germany, Romania, and Italy, embody a unique blend of cultural and philosophical inquiry. Shin’s previous solo exhibition, Twinkle Colorful (2022, Lunt Gallery, Seoul), and her participation in renowned art festivals such as the Share Festival in Turin, Italy, further underscore her growing influence in the contemporary art world.
Skin of a Tree 4.1, 2023, Courtesy of COSMO40
The Skin of a Tree integrates elements of performance, with notable contributors including Kang Jung Min, Milena Lorek, Lee Eun Seok, and Choi Ji Hoon. The exhibition is housed in COSMO40’s Curtain Room, a fittingly intimate venue that enhances the thematic interplay between concealment and revelation. The poster design by Shin Jun Hyuk adds a visually compelling dimension to the show’s promotional materials.
As part of her artistic vision, Shin incorporates the act of discovery into the viewer’s experience. By engaging with hidden performers, visitors participate in a dialogue about visibility, identity, and the act of seeking meaning amidst the chaos of contemporary life. This participatory element underscores the exhibition’s central message: even in moments of concealment, there exists an enduring strength to emerge, regenerate, and connect.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of COSMO40
COSMO40 will host the opening event on November 30, from 5 PM to 9 PM, providing a platform for the artists and performers to share insights into the creative process. The exhibition will remain open daily from 12 PM to 6 PM.
The Skin of a Tree exemplifies Shin’s commitment to addressing universal themes through deeply personal and accessible means. By blending performance, installation, and metaphor, she offers a poignant reminder of humanity’s capacity for renewal and the transformative power of art.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
Skin of a Tree 4, 2023, Courtesy of COSMO40
Korean artist Jina Shin’s solo exhibition The Skin of a Tree will be unveiled at COSMO40 in Incheon from November 30 to December 13, 2024. Supported by the Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Cultural Foundation through the 2024 Art Creation Life Support Project, this exhibition marks a profound exploration of resilience and renewal through an innovative fusion of visual art and performance.
Drawing inspiration from the regenerative properties of tree bark, Shin connects this natural process to the human skin, presenting a metaphor for vitality and healing. The exhibition takes an immersive approach: performers clad in specially designed costumes are hidden throughout the gallery space, inviting visitors to seek them out. This interaction fosters an intimate engagement with the artwork, transforming the gallery into a living, breathing space of reflection and connection.
Skin of a Tree 3, 2023, Courtesy of COSMO40
Thematically, the project resonates deeply with historical and contemporary narratives of survival. Shin reflects on the experience of individuals who were forced into hiding during times of war, extending her metaphor of protective bark to all who have endured trauma. Through The Skin of a Tree, she aspires to offer a symbolic shield—a reminder of the skin’s capacity to heal and protect, not just physically but emotionally.
Jina Shin, a graduate of the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart, Germany, and Kyung Hee University in Seoul, has established herself as an artist of international repute. Her works, spanning solo and group exhibitions across Germany, Romania, and Italy, embody a unique blend of cultural and philosophical inquiry. Shin’s previous solo exhibition, Twinkle Colorful (2022, Lunt Gallery, Seoul), and her participation in renowned art festivals such as the Share Festival in Turin, Italy, further underscore her growing influence in the contemporary art world.
Skin of a Tree 4.1, 2023, Courtesy of COSMO40
The Skin of a Tree integrates elements of performance, with notable contributors including Kang Jung Min, Milena Lorek, Lee Eun Seok, and Choi Ji Hoon. The exhibition is housed in COSMO40’s Curtain Room, a fittingly intimate venue that enhances the thematic interplay between concealment and revelation. The poster design by Shin Jun Hyuk adds a visually compelling dimension to the show’s promotional materials.
As part of her artistic vision, Shin incorporates the act of discovery into the viewer’s experience. By engaging with hidden performers, visitors participate in a dialogue about visibility, identity, and the act of seeking meaning amidst the chaos of contemporary life. This participatory element underscores the exhibition’s central message: even in moments of concealment, there exists an enduring strength to emerge, regenerate, and connect.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of COSMO40
COSMO40 will host the opening event on November 30, from 5 PM to 9 PM, providing a platform for the artists and performers to share insights into the creative process. The exhibition will remain open daily from 12 PM to 6 PM.
The Skin of a Tree exemplifies Shin’s commitment to addressing universal themes through deeply personal and accessible means. By blending performance, installation, and metaphor, she offers a poignant reminder of humanity’s capacity for renewal and the transformative power of art.
