Bohye Kim, also known as Bella Kim, is a South Korean artist, who studied BA Fine Arts at University of the Arts London - Chelsea College of Arts. After graduating, she moved back to South Korea and continues her work career. 

 

She works with the themes of desire, home, belonging, and memory. As of December 2025, she has lived in four countries (South Korea, Hungary, Canada, United Kingdom) and in fifteen different homes, therefore; she describes herself as a “Modern Nomad.” Because of the frequent moving, she felt a strong desire for her home and belonging, and these experiences led her to the main themes of her current work.

 

Bohye’s recent works require lots of time to create, involving processes such as stippling, crocheting, and hand-stitching. Through this making process, she learns how to emptying her thoughts and desires that constantly rise within her. For this reason, the process of making the work itself has significant meaning in her practice.

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Artist Statement

My work begins with an exploration of the desires that shape my daily life. I am interested in how desire can influence our life. Healthy desire motivates us and leads us to great achievement. On the other hand, excessive desire disrupts our peace of mind and complicates our lives. Through my work, I reflect on my own desires, and through the process of creating, I learn how to deal with them. 

 

When I first heard the word ‘desire’, it sounded negative, heavy, too serious and accompanied by a sense of guilt. However, in real life, even the small everyday thoughts like "I want to do this" can also be considered desires. Once I realized that desire has a deep connection with everyone’s real life, desire no longer feels negative and heavy. Instead, it led me to ask “How can I navigate and use this emotion to bring greater richness to my life?”

 

Through my work, I also talk about my own desires, and through the creating process, I learn how to control and release my desire. I hope my work provides a chance for the audience to think about their desires and their own ways to handle them, so they can use these emotions more effectively and healthily.

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