Woo Jin Joo Korean
Woo Jin is a textiles artist based in London, specializing in embroidery and mixed media. Her artistic practice delves into her East Asian heritage, drawing inspiration from mythology, folklore, and shamanism to explore how these ancient belief systems influence contemporary culture. Known for her intricate textile works, Woo Jin incorporates mythical figures and motifs that reflect her unique worldview. Her creations include sculptures of creatures and demi-gods, as well as patchworks rich in symbols and iconography, emphasizing non-human perspectives and envisioning futures sustained by multi-species collaboration.
Utilizing found objects and materials, her art evokes emotional connections, often eliciting humor or nostalgia. This approach, combined with her technique of freehand machine embroidery, results in distinctive and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Woo Jin graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2021, and she is currently a resident artist at Cockpit Arts, having won the inaugural Bagri Craft Award. Her accolades also include the Fine Art Textiles Prize, and she has received funding from the Arts Council’s DYCP Fund and the Elephant Trust Fund.
An accomplished artist specializing in textiles and embroidery, Woo Jin holds an MA in Textiles from the Royal College of Art (2021) and a BA in Textile Design from Central Saint Martins (2019) in London. She also completed a Foundation Diploma in Arts and Design with Distinction (2014-2015).
She has showcased her work in numerous exhibitions, including notable events such as "Thread Count" at Art Station, "Personal Treasure" at Nunnery Gallery, and "Photo London" at Somerset House, all in 2024. Other significant exhibitions include "Bring Your Light" at Nunnery Gallery and "Tailored" at Sunny Bank Mills Gallery in 2023, as well as participation in Dutch Design Week and the East London Art Prize shortlist in 2022.
Her artistic excellence has been recognized through various awards, including the Cockpit Bagri Award and A-N Artist Bursary in 2023, and she was a finalist for the Hari Art Prize and the East London Art Prize in 2022. Woo Jin has also been awarded the Elephant Trust Award and the Janome Fine Art Textiles Award in 2021.
She has participated in several artist residencies, including the Hari Hotel Art Prize Finalist Artist Residency in 2023 and the New Order of Fashion Residency in Eindhoven in 2022.
Her work has been featured in notable publications such as Embroidery Magazine, Art Maze Magazine, Crafts Magazine, and Handwerken Zonder Grenzen.
