Migration, Identity, and Belonging in the Works of Kimsooja

Abstract

Bottari is a Korean term referring to a bundle of objects wrapped in a small piece of cloth made by sewing together used cloth or fabric. It is commonly used in Korea for everyday items. Korean artist Kimsooja utilizes this object as an artistic medium to visualize migration phenomena and the issues they raise, conveying her message through art. Drawing inspiration from the Korean elements of Bottari in her artistic practice, Kimsooja expands the national and geographical concepts and narratives inherent in Bottari through aesthetic production, addressing broader themes such as migration, identity, and belonging. This provides a platform for diverse audiences to reflect on these issues. Through her “Bottari Truck” series, we discuss how she conveys stories about migration, identity, and belonging, and analyze her artistic world and the important role Bottari plays within it using the concept or academic framework of “migration aesthetics.”