Today we’d like to introduce you to Hyelim Choi
Hi Hyelim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a Korean Artist making work based out of DTLA.
I began my journey in college with a YouTube channel (YouTube.com/theseoulsearch) – a creative outlet while I was studying physics in college. I began at Moorpark College, then went to UC Davis. I graduated in 2020 into the pandemic, and decided that I would build a creative career and life.
My uncle, who is a business owner in LA (the great room, yoshinoya, etc.) got me into photography when I was 13, which was my first foray into arts. I worked with other LA-based businesses during my early 20s (Palo Santo Studios, LA-based influencers) to build my portfolio.
I am also a model.
Ceramics has always been a part of my life, since I was born and spent my early childhood in Korea. I took a ceramics class at ThrowClay in DTLA and the rest is history.
I create ceramics for Stereoscope Coffee’s Hollywood location and am currently preparing for a show in 2025.
Professionally, I also run a YouTube channel for a computer hardware start up (YouTube.com/frameworkcomputer).
Please let me know if you have any other questions – my journey is a bit long but I’m happy to expand in more detail!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge I faced was time management, honestly. I have so many dreams, and things I want to make and I’m worried that I won’t have enough time in my life to create everything that I want to make.
When there are so many paths to choose from, how do you know which one is right? Finding my own self confidence and learning to listen to my own internal voice is something I’m working on developing. I feel like my own voice is getting stronger and I hope that I continue to listen to myself more closely.
A more professional challenge I’ve been working on is hiring and expanding my team. I’m really fortunate that my husband has been able to quit his job as a software engineer and work for me full time, but expanding the team beyond our little family has been a challenge.
Our goal is to create a work environment that is fulfilling (through clear roles and growth opportunities), and respects people (both economically, and emotionally), while giving people enough freedom that they feel empowered to make their own decisions and be themselves at work. Culture and community is key (to me) for a creative environment.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for my ceramic skateboards! It’s a series I’m working on. I’m not a skater (read: she’s clumsy and uncoordinated), but I love skate culture. It’s very punk rock, no fucks given and I want to have more of this spirit in my life and work.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to balance both left and right brain – it’s from years of practice studying science and mathematics. Although I’m not the most attuned to math and science, I feel really grateful for my ability to examine the artistic practice through a scientific lens. Ceramics is a very chemistry and physics driven craft (glaze recipes, specific gravity, etc. etc.) and I feel like being able to apply the scientific method into my craft gives me a peek into the world of ceramics in a different way.
I make heirloom ceramics. The goal with my work, whether its a mug or a skateboard, is to make objects that are so dearly beloved and have never been seen before. The kind of objects that pull at your heart, that devistate you lose it in a move, that you visualize passing onto your children the moment you see it.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I don’t see myself as a risk taker (although the people around me would say otherwise) – I rather visualize a future and see exactly what I want and then go after it. Some see it as risky, but because I can see it so clearly, it’s just a matter of focusing and moving towards my goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyelimchoi.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/@hyelimchoi
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hyelimchoi
Image Credits
Zach Sorensen
David Rho
