Yeonsu Kim, the artist behind the object candle studio Dustnroom, works primarily with beeswax and silicone to create a diverse range of candle silhouettes, amplifying and reimagining the texture of wax. These candles symbolize our desire for liberation from vulnerability. Produced through silicone molds, the objects retain the wax’s unique soft texture and sheen while preserving the delicate forms of the original prototypes. Yeonsu Kim’s candles draw parallels to the human body, resembling the daily aging process. Just as bones and flesh emit light and fragrance, the melting wax and wick embody impermanence. Both human skin and candles, momentarily smooth and straight, will eventually crinkle and crumble.
At SCOPES Seoul, Yeonsu Kim transcended the limitations of her previous works—which primarily adorned indoor tables—by creating larger, more liberated candle sculptures. The large candle artwork NINO (Nothing In Nothing Out) features a central object with perfect symmetry, an animal-like shape on the left, and a negative space on the opposite side. The hand-like shapes, resembling ancient ritualistic idols, reach out in rebellion toward the scorching sun that threatens their existence. The fragrance spreading from the candles hints at the fate of mortal beings, waiting for the inevitable, one-time blaze they will eventually face.
