Kim Soo-ja Awarded French Cultural Honor 'Officier'

On July 9, renowned artist Kim Soo-ja (김수자), known as the 'Bottari Artist,' received the 'Officier' honor from the French government at the residence of the French Ambassador to South Korea, Philippe Petit. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and literature or demonstrated exceptional creativity in relation to French culture.

The French cultural honors are categorized into three ranks: 'Commandeur' (Commander), 'Officier' (Officer), and 'Chevalier' (Knight), with 'Commandeur' being the highest. Kim previously received the 'Chevalier' honor in 2017, marking this as her second accolade.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Philippe Petit praised Kim's work, stating, "The 'Bottari' created by Kim Soo-ja, inspired by traditional wrapping cloth, symbolizes a significant object in Korean culture and represents the act of departure through her intricate sewing and binding of fabric pieces. For decades, she has served as a bridge between French and Korean cultures through her powerful performances, videos, and installations."

Kim Soo-ja is a globally recognized artist based in Seoul and Paris, known for her diverse artistic practices that transcend the boundaries of painting, sewing, installation, performance, video, light and sound, and architecture. Her nickname, 'Bottari Artist,' reflects her journey from sewing to elevating women's domestic labor into contemporary art, standing at the intersection of daily life and art. Inspired by her childhood experiences of sewing blankets with her mother, she gained international attention in 1997 with a video piece featuring a truck loaded with bundles, retracing her childhood homes across the country. She has represented Korea at significant art events, including the 1998 São Paulo Biennial and the 2013 Venice Biennale.

Her connection to France is profound, highlighted by her recent solo exhibition at the Paris Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection, where she became the first Korean artist to be invited as a 'Carte Blanche' artist, showcasing 44 works across various spaces, including the iconic Rotunda.

Reflecting on her journey, Kim expressed gratitude for the opportunities she received, stating, "My first step into France was in 1984 when I received a scholarship from the French government to study lithography at the École des Beaux-Arts for six months. Thanks to the support of the French government and public and private art institutions, I have realized over 80 projects and installations in my second home, France."