Title
댕기 daeng-gi



Date, Place
2023.10.02 Seoul,Korea
Medium
Synthetic fiber
Solid Gel
Statement
The daenggi hairstyle (daenggi: a traditional Korean ribbon used to tie braided hair), part of traditional Korean attire for centuries across all social classes, became rare even in rural areas after Western perms were introduced in 1937 and even more so after Korea's liberation. However, this hairstyle remains familiar to me. As a child learning the gayageum (gayageum: a traditional Korean 12-stringed zither) and pansori (pansori: a traditional Korean genre of musical storytelling), I participated in various competitions and performances, and each time, my teacher or parents would braid my hair into daenggi braids or jjokjin chignons. These hairstyles hold precious memories of my childhood and traces of my ancestors' cultural heritage.

It is said that our ancestors would tie their daenggi hair into an updo at weddings as a symbolic first step into adulthood. For me, daenggi represents not only those childhood memories but also the purity and boundless creativity before stepping into adulthood, serving as an object of inspiration that connects me to my younger self. This piece, where the daenggi is symbolically transplanted onto my nails, is a journey back to that time, capturing the freedom and creative passion of my youth, reinterpreted with a modern touch by using a red ribbon in place of the traditional daenggi. Additionally, CHIMERA’s logo, inspired by the daenggi, reflects the brand’s aspiration to retain a pure and childlike perspective and unrestrained creativity into adulthood.





Title
花園



Date, Place
2024.07.08  
Seoul, Korea
Medium
Gel-X,
Leftover flower pieces
Statement
Sometimes, my nails merge fragments from different times and places. My love for flower arranging led me to embed leftover petals onto my nails, transforming them into a hybrid extension of myself. In this way, my nails become a space that transcends species and time, connecting the human and natural worlds in a shared, living dialogue.




Title
Ice claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06
Seoul, Korea
Medium
swarovoski crystal,
Clear gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.




Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.




Title
난, orchid



Date, Place
2023.08.18
Seoul, Korea
Medium
Clear Resin,
Dried flowerl
Statement
An art piece that reimagines the elegant brushstrokes of traditional orchid painting techniques in 3D form.




Title
萬壽無疆



Date, Place
2024.09.03
Seoul, Korea
Medium
Gel-X
hand painted with Gel
Statement
The 萬壽無疆 series is inspired by the vintage-style tea cup at Halfway Coffee in Hong Kong,
known for patterns that evoke a nostalgic Hong Kong aesthetic.





Title
댕기 daeng-gi



Date, Place
2024.04.29
Xinbei, Taiwan
Medium
Gel-X
Solid Gel
Statement
This piece captures the organic curves of the natural formations I encountered at Yehliu Geopark, Taiwan. The rugged, uneven surfaces and the glistening waves that swept over them have been translated onto my nails, embodying both the park’s unique geological textures and the reflective beauty of the sea.





Title
Tea ceremony
claws



Date, Place
2024.09.28
Tokyo, Japan
Medium
Clear gel
Aclylic
Statement
Inspired by Japanese tea ceremonies and iced matcha lattes, this nail design emits light in response to movement, perfect for meditative moments while observing the soothing effect of light reflections.




Title
일월오봉도



Date, Place
2024.10.10
Seoul, Korea
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
일월오봉도 Ilwolobongdo [조선시대 궁궐 정전의 어좌 뒷편에 놓였던 다섯 개의 산봉우리와 해, 달, 소나무 등을 소재로 그린 병풍]
Ilwolobongdo (The Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks Screen) served as an emblem of royal authority, symbolizing the health and longevity of the king and queen, the nation's prosperity, and the ideals of harmony and order between nature and humanity. Through a meticulous process akin to delicate embroidery, Ilwolobongdo (the Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks Screen) is transferred onto the physical space of the fingernail, shedding its historical connotations of royal authority and instead embodying a pure symbol of natural harmony and inner peace. As a meditative tool, this nail art becomes a ritual of artistic immersion, creating a tranquil yet dynamic experience that connects self and world.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.





Title
Egg tart claws



Date, Place
2024.09.06 HongKong
Medium
Gel-X,
hand painted with Gel
Statement
Inspired by the delicious egg tart from Hong Kong's Bakehouse,
this piece captures the golden hue and smooth texture of the tart,
bringing the joy of a favorite treat to the fingertips.

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