by Alexandra Nicole Nuralam

Artist Bin Jiyoung on How She Paints Her Feelings & Her Favourite Rose Water Toner

For South Korean artist Bin Jiyoung, expressing her emotions through her work enlivens her and fuels her creativity—something that she learned from a young age. “I think that making art was a natural thing for me, rather than a special occasion that sparked it. I have always had a great desire to express myself to the outside world, which is what stirred my interest in art.”

“My paintings are a form of abstraction,” Jiyoung explains. “I am able to paint feelings that may be indescribable at the moment, and through this process, get the release that I need.”

These days, you’ll find the artist hard at work preparing for her exhibition. Ahead, we caught up with Jiyoung virtually as she chats about her work, her definition of success and her minimalist skincare routine.

What messages do you hope your audience will understand when looking at your work?

The state of the outside world and the individual is always imbalanced. We are used to the superficiality of media these days; I want my paintings to be a breath of fresh air, to evoke something real in such a landscape. I hope that the audience can also experience different sensations when looking at the abstract shapes in my work.

Some view traditional paths of science or math as the path to success. What is your idea of success?

Satisfaction is a relative value for everyone, but if we can live with a sense of fullness according to our own standards, that is success.

What would you say is your approach to beauty?

I feel beautiful when my intuition and aesthetic sense are touched upon. In other words, beauty is an intuitive thing and something that is intimate for me.

How did you develop the skincare routine that works for your skin?

I am someone who prefers natural beauty instead of the perfect beauty routine. I try to keep makeup minimal and let my skin breathe.

“My signature look is healthy, shoulder-length bobbed hair and a dress that accentuates the silhouette of my body.”

Most exciting beauty brand for you at the moment?

I’m a fan of Santa Maria Novella these days. I’ve been using their Acqua Di Rose toner for 5 years now since I started using it by chance. I love its subtle rose scent and its vintage packaging really suits my sense of aesthetics.

Are there any beauty tips from your culture that you can share?

I like to do a simple lymphatic drainage massage in the morning—massaging the lymph nodes near your ears or collarbone helps to remove toxins from the body and reduces swelling of the face.

What are your plans for the future? What would you like to have accomplished in the next five years?

I want to build my own artistic perspective that inspires more people in the future, focusing more on my intuition and how I can present my art. Hopefully, I can present my work internationally in the next 5 years.

Jiyoung’s Beauty Picks

Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Rose Toner, SGD48
Santa Maria Novella Fresia Bubble Bath, USD55
Buly 1803 Huile Antique Scottish Lichen Body Oil, SGD88
Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne Spray, SGD112
Massimo Dutti Chamomile & Sandalwood Eau de Parfum, SGD35.90

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