Bio
Jin Ko, aka Studio Jinistar, was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. He emigrated to America in his late 20’s and settled in NYC where he currently resides and produces his work.
Jin started his life in NYC as a fashion designer while, on the side, doing a self study in silk screen which led to the birth of Jinistar as a personal brand. After a few years of living his childhood dream to produce and sell a line of handmade silk screened t-shirts & accessories in NYC, he was burned out balancing production with a full time design job. Not ready to give up the Jinistar label, he pivoted and Studio Jinistar was born by incorporating his experience in fashion, textiles and package design into a new series of flat graphic designs and eventually 3D images & sculptures.
Jin studied Industrial Design, Textile Design & Fashion for 6 years in Korea and has has several solo shows as well as shown in multiple group shows in the United States including The Greenpoint Gallery, Atlantic Gallery, Culture Lab & Paris Koh Gallery. Most recently, Studio Jinistar was a part of Art Miami Week 2024 showing a new collection at Aqua Art Miami.
Artist Statement
Jin is a graphic & paper textile artist who uses his pattern making expertise to create layered film art with light illusions.
His earliest work was inspired by video games, the idea of existing in 3D on a 2D screen. When he studied fashion later in life, pattern making became a specialty and out of the combination of these two things, the artistic basis of Studio Jinistar was born. Initially focused on multi-layered LED lit shadowboxes, much of Ko’s early work functioned as a sort of diary to help express his feelings while living in a country where he often couldn’t communicate with others.
Ko is inspired by movement, catching a moment that others might miss and bold visuals. Though many of his works are stagnant, motion (or the illusion of motion) is integral. Light, shimmer and reflection have also influenced his creative vision as you’ll clearly see in his body of work.
After years of development, Jin has gone from his original shadowboxes to flat panel graphic design film pieces with exterior spot lights allowing for massive projections of his colorful art. With an ever evolving creative eye, Studio Jinistar is always showing something new and innovative.
