Tomi Yum

“When I was growing up in Seoul, Korea, I remember my beautiful mother’s soft hands, always adorned with rings and brooches. As I grew older, this early memory sparked my obsession with jewelry. My work is a fusion of these influences, balancing heritage with innovation and playful symbolism in each piece.”

Skulls and snakes are consistent motifs within Tomi Yum’s jewelry, as the artist blends a romantic goth aesthetic into her sculptural designs. The artist’s work also displays a fascination with organic textures, from snake skin to the undulating surface of baroque pearls, which are featured in Yum’s collection of dainty and dramatic jewelry.

After earning her MFA, Tomi Yum decided to advance her craft as an artist with classes at Brooklyn Metal Works. Through the wax carving technique, learned at BKMW, Yum translates her background in sculpture into imaginative jewelry designs. Yum continues to call BKMW her home studio and is based in Brooklyn.