Abstract nominee

Some journeys go beyond mere travel—they offer encounters with extraordinary landscapes and new cultures. Places steeped in history have the power to alter our perception of time, while unfamiliar surroundings spark excitement and curiosity, allowing us to see the world from fresh perspectives. Among the many captivating scenes I encountered, the architecture of Europe—rich in history and diverse cultures—stood out as a symbol of timelessness. These buildings, with their inherent historical and artistic value, transcend mere structures, becoming complete works of art. When architecture and nature merge harmoniously, they create a space that seems to exist between reality and fantasy, evoking the feeling that time itself has paused.

Sungsook Kim is an artist who draws inspiration from travel. For her, travel is not merely an experience but an artistic process that unfolds memory before the eyes. Memories encountered in unfamiliar places accumulate as layered impressions and reconnect to form a single image.
She was nominated in the Fine Art category at the 2024 Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA) and received an Honorable Mention in the Professional Fine Art Architecture category at the 2025 International Photography Awards (IPA). Kim participated in the Gilgajin Art exhibitions at the Seoul Arts Center (2023, 2024), and was selected for the Arles OFF Festival in France for two consecutive years (2024, 2025). Her works were also presented at Paris Photo Days, gaining international attention.
She has exhibited at Photo Basel, one of Switzerland’s leading photo fairs, where she introduced her artistic vision to an international audience. Most recently, she held a solo exhibition in 2025 at Maru Art Center in Seoul.